Sahitya Akademi Breaks Its Silence Over ‘Rising Intolerance’

Breaking its silence on ‘rising intolerance’, Sahitya Akademi appealed to the govt to stop the killings of writers.

Writers protest against religious intolerance in Delhi. (Photo: PTI)

On Friday, the Sahitya Akademi finally broke its silence over the rising intolerance in the country.

<p>We have strongly condemned the killings of writers and appeal to the state and central governments to take steps to stop this. We appeal to the writers to take back their awards that they have returned so far and those who have stepped down from their positions to come back. This is a unanimous decision.</p>

<p><b>Dr Krishnaswamy Nachimuthu, Member of Sahitya Akademi</b></p>

Earlier today, writers across languages came together and marched from Sri Ram Centre at Safdar Hashmi Marg to the Sahitya Akademi building, where they submitted a memorandum to the Akademi demanding that it pass a resolution pledging to take stern steps to safeguard the freedom of speech and right to dissent of the writers.

At least 35 writers from across the country had over the past few weeks announced their decision to return their Sahitya Akademi awards and stepped down from official Akademi positions to protest the “rising intolerance” in the country.