Renowned Dalit writer, thinker and novelist Devanur Mahadeva joined the bandwagon of writers, intellectuals, artists and others as he returned his Padmashri and Sahitya Akademi Awards in protest against “growing intolerance” on Saturday.
“I have always believed that for every Government to remain sensitive and society-oriented, writers, artists and intellectuals should act like the restraining bridle. However, much against my nature, I have controlled myself from reacting in the present context of ‘returning awards against intolerance,” he said in a statement.
“But when some writers and artists organised themselves in support of the ruling Government, I felt it was a sure sign of evil. Disgusted by this development, I am now returning the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Padmashri award”.
Mahadeva said, “returning them now, I know, is only symbolic in a way. I feel awkward that I am not able to return the position and prestige I may have obtained indirectly through these awards”.
“The dreams nurtured by our freedom struggle -- freedom of expression, tolerance and social justice -- have somehow dwindled after the Nehru era and are now in jeopardy. Those values may not be tangible or materially visible, but they are like the very breath of the cultural, social India we need to build. The lack of this awareness appears to be the reason for today’s intolerance. Otherwise we would not have witnessed the tragedy of the leaders of the Central Government themselves saying that incidents like that of Dadri and killings caused by ideological differences are the problems of the respective States” he added.