THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Literary critic K S Ravikumar has resigned as member of the Kendra Sahitya Akademi in protest against the Akademy’s alleged silence over the elimination of even reputed writers, who express their opinion independently. Fascists are annihilating writers of high repute for expressing their views. But, the apex body of writers at the national level - Kendra Sahitya Akademi - has kept a conspicuous silence on the issue, Ravikumar told ‘Express’.
Ravikumar said he had quit the Akademi membership to express solidarity with the writers and readers who stand for freedom of speech and other democratic rights.
Mode of Protest is Not Right: Sugathakumari
Reacting to the resignation of writers from the Akademi and certain others returning awards and honours in protest against the ‘rising intolerance’ in the country, noted poet Sugathakumari told ‘Express’ that she did not think that resigning from the Akademy or returning the awards and honours was the apt way to express discontent.
“Kendra Sahitya Akademi is the highest body of writers. The Akademi has always been run by democratically-elected representatives of writers. So far, no government could influence its functioning despite the fact that certain governments had tried to amend the statutes and rules. In such a scenario, returning the honours or resigning from the Akademi is a dishonour to it. This mode of protest won’t serve any purpose,” she said.
However, Sugathakumari said the growing trends of intolerance and communalism were alarming and dangerous to the future generations. Everyone has the responsibility to stay together and protect the freedom of expression and other rights, she added.
Writers Becoming Slaves of CPM: BJP
Meanwhile, BJP state president V Muraleedharan on Saturday said that some writers had become subservient to the CPM. In a statement issued here, Muraleedharan said the action of certain writers had revealed their true colours.
“Those who claim to be cultural leaders have degenerated into CPM loyalists. People like K Sachithanandan, who had been enjoying the wealth and facilities of the Kendra Sahitya Akademi, wer expressing their frustration over losing such facilities. With the resignation of such people, the cultural milieu has been purified and we welcome their decision,” he said.
The BJP state president also pointed out that these writers had never protested against the UPA Government’s rule, which made life miserable for the poor.