Hubballi: An interactive meeting of rationalists and litterateurs from four states resolved to hold a convention of intellectuals in Dandi, Gujarat on January 30 to commemorate the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Hundreds of rationalist hailing from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka on Friday deliberated at length on the issue of intolerance in the country. These writers and artistes, who have returned their awards, have decided to chalk out a strategy against intolerance during the Dandi convention.
Claiming that growing intolerance has jeopardised Indian culture and universal brotherhood, the writers expressed concern that intellectuals, artistes and dramatists are becoming targets of religious fundamentalist groups. Holding an interactive session on the topic ‘Why I have returned my award’, they claimed that it is just a symbolic gesture to lodge their protest. Stating they were given awards in recognition of their human values, they questioned the rationale behind retaining these awards when values were under attack.
“We have not pelted stones or used sticks and instead resorted to a peaceful agitation by returning awards. There is a spontaneous response to this move from several writers across the country. The tradition has been going on for several decades as Mahatma Gandhi himself had returned the award given by the British. Therefore, all non-political writers and artistes will converge in Dandi on Gandhiji's death anniversary to condemn the attempt to suppress the voice of rationalists”, said Padmashri awardee Ganesh Devy of Gujarat.
Maintaining that there was no intolerance among common people who were living in peace and unity, another writer and poet Anil Joshi of Gujarat, who has returned his Sahitya Academy Award, claimed that politicians were responsible for the attacks on writers.
Kalburgi murder: CM to be pressurised
Writers and rationalists, who converged in Dharwad to discuss intolerance, have resolved to exert pressure on the state government to step up the investigation into the killing of litterateur Dr M.M. Kalburgi. Addressing presspersons after visiting the residence of the deceased scholar, they said the delegation will meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and pressurise him to take the matter seriously. Stating that the investigation was proceeding at snail's pace like the probe conducted by Maharashtra government into killing of social activist Narendra Dabholkar and rationalist Govind Pansare, they said that there was a growing sense of insecurity among the writers due to these developments. “We should sow the seed of tolerance among the younger generation,” Ganesh Devy added
Scholar returns Portugal award
Citing growing intolerance at the international level, the scholar Arvind Yalagi has returned ‘Fundacao Oriente’ award given by Portugal government. The award was given to him in recognition of his contribution to Indo-Portuguese history, culture and literature. Mr. Yalagi has worked in Goa and conducted study in various fields. He claimed that there was threat to freedom of expression across the globe, forcing him to return the award to lodge a symbolic protest.Two others have also announced return of their award during convention of rationalists and litterateurs held in Dharwad on Friday. Writers VinayaVakkund and I.B. Iligeri have returned the awards given by the Kannada Sahitya Academy.
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