This refers to the editorial, “Award as political tool” of (October 13). More than a dozen writers have returned their Sahitya Akademi awards to protest against current events, which is well within their rights.
But whether they are using their rights judiciously in this case, is questionable. In the past too,their reactions have always been selective, if not downright partisan. You are right in questioning why they had not returned their awards when Sikhs were massacred in 1984 or Hindu Pandits pushed out of the valley in 1992.
Many of these writers got their awards because of their affiliations with the Congress. Not all of them were deserving candidates. I welcome their award-surrender, as it has exposed their political affiliations.