Family of noted Tamil poet Inquilab has refused to accept the Sahitya Academy award conferred on him posthumously, saying the poet would not have accepted the award from a government that ‘does not act against communal and casteist elements.’
The poet who died last year, has been conferred with the annual Sahitya Academy awards recognising the literary works of 24 writers writing in 24 Indian languages.
The late poet would not have accepted the award from a government that ‘does not act against communal and casteist elements,’ Inquilab's daughter Dr. Amina told TheNews Minute.
In a letter sent to the Academi refusing the award, family of the acclaimed poet recalls Inquilab's take on awards. "I don’t write expecting awards and felicitations, instead I foresee oppositions, condemnations and repulsion... Interrogations on and off are the gifts."
Poet, dramatist, and rationalist, Inquilab, had, often in his works, expressed the anguish and plight of the suppressed castes. He was a rationalist and didn't identify himself with any religion.
According to The Hindu, he was "a Marxist-Leninist wedded to the idea of Tamil nationalism", was "uncompromising and always spoke his mind."
In a stringent letter written to the Academi, Inquilab's family says the poet had refused to accept any awards by the government during his lifetime as the " face of the governments may change, but they all have the same mask."
"Today ,there is a major spurt of violence, classism, communalism and oppression. The persons who criticize and question the powers are executed in broad day light, It (accepting the award) will be a betrayal to Inquilab’s writings and the life lead by him, to accept this award," the letter reads.
Seven books of novels, five of poetry, five of short stories, five of literary criticism and one of play and essays have won the Sahitya Akademi Awards 2017.
Mamang Dais name has been selected for his English novel "The Black Hill", and Niranjan Mishra is in the list of winners for his Sanskrit novel "Gangaputravadanam", K P Ramanunni has won for "Daivathinte Pusthakam" in Malayalam and Nachhattar for his Punjabi novel "Slow Down".
The poets who feature in the list of winners are Udaya Narayana Singh (Maithili), Shrikant Deshmukh (Marathi), Bhujanga Tudu (Santali), Inqulab (Tamil) and Devipriya (Telugu).
Five writers awarded for their short stories are Shiv Mehta (Dogri), Autar Krishen Rahbar (Kashmiri), Gajanan Jog (Konkani), Gayatri Saraf (Odia), and Baig Ehsas (Urdu).
Ramesh Kuntal Megh (Hindi), T P Ashoka (Kannada), Urmi Ghanshyam Desai (Gujarati), Bina Hangkhim (Nepali), and Neeraj Daiya (Rajasthani) have been recognised for their literary criticism.
Jagdish Lachhani (Sindhi) for his essays and Rajen Toijamba (Manipuri) for his play are also among the winners.
The award, given for books published between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2015, includes a casket containing an engraved copper-plaque, a shawl and a cheque of Rs 1 lakh.
