Munshi Premchand, a very distinguished author, said “Literature is not something which follows politics, but leads it like a torch”. I personally feel this statement has completely been misapplied, especially by many authors, film makers and now even scientists following the suit.
Of late, our nation has witnessed a wave of returning awards as a protest against the ‘climate of intolerance in the society’. This activity started in the rise of September when Uday Prakash returned his Sahitya Akademi award that was awarded to him in 2010 for his collection of short stories, Mohan Das, to stand against the Akademi’s “indifference” over the murder of Prof. M M Kalburgi. Following were other renowned authors Nayantara Sahgal, , K Veerabhadrappa and Ashok Vajpeyi who had also returned their Sahitya Akademi awards. Five writers quit from the official positions held by them in the literary body, protesting against its “silence” over “rising intolerance”. The number has eventually risen to 40. They have been joined by filmmakers, historians and even scientists who too became part of this movement of returning awards, which seems to be taking shape of a revolt.
The commotion of returning awards started as a protest against the Academy for its silence against the murder of Prof. M M Kalburgi. Kalburgi was an Indian scholar and an academic who served as the vice-chancellor of Kannada University. Kalburgi was known to provide insights and raise new perspectives into Lingayat history and community. The same was, however, many a times criticised by fellow members of his community. Kalburgi was shot dead on 30th August 2015 at his residence in Karnataka by two unidentified men, soon after he was accused of passing ‘derogatory references’ to a 12th century philosopher who was revered by Lingayat community. Till then it seemed fine, for the Academy who had awarded the Honour to the writer could not protect him.
But then, the things moved in different direction. Soon after this, came the news of lynching of a Muslim labourer by a Hindu mob after rumours, (later proven to be false), that he had beef. Then started the wave of authors returning their awards.
Both these, and many such incidents have been literally condemned by the entire nation, but the renowned authors and film makers and now scientists have shown their condemnation by revoking the admiration that they had been awarded with by the nation.
The entire movement that is shaping up as a revolution has come up as a shock. These men of honour have been awarded by the nation for their terrific contribution in their respective field. However, returning the awards as a protest against religious intolerance towards government is not really the solution. They have been awarded by the nation and not any one particular Government.
Doing certain acts which are immoral and illegal under the garb of religion is definitely a condemnable situation. I personally believe that reprimanding a person due to him hurting one’s religious sentiments is absolutely insane, barbaric and ancient. Religion teaches us love towards God and freedom from our own inhibitions. Unfortunately, people misunderstand religion and get ‘hurt’ by others who have different perspective about things and life. I definitely am against such acts which lead to intolerance towards a particular religion. We live in a free secular nation and must have the right to do/act/exercise whatever we feel. I strongly feel that the growing intolerance will only lead to eroding the basic fabric of Indian society, i.e., its secular character.
But disgracing the honour that these artists have been awarded with is definitely no solution. The problem does not lie in any government, but in the people of our country.
Who knows who is the brain behind such activities! Just because Mr. Modi had a bad name due to Gujarat riots does not mean that he is responsible for all activities of saving and promoting so called Hinduism! I am not Mod-ian, but I do feel that politics is harsh. People do make use of situations and malign and tarnish image. We all belong to the educated lot. We understand the difference between Nation and the Government. We are a part of the Nation, which has recognized talent and awarded them.
Such activity of returning awards has in fact been condemned by fellow authors, film makers and by many citizens of our country. I think it’s’ time, for them to understand and honour the respect that they have been given and to not kindly mix art with politics, talent with religious intolerance.
