HYDERABAD: Disagreeing with act of intellectuals returning their Sahitya Akademi awards, Karimnagar MP B Vinod Kumar said awards are the recognition bestowed by the country.
Answering a query on Sahitya Akademi award winners returning their awards protesting the increasing intolerance at a press conference here on Monday, Vinod Kumar said the awards were given by the country as a recognition to their contributions to literary world. “Governments do come and go but awards are given on behalf of the country,” he said.
Vinod Kumar opined that the winners are at liberty to oppose any intelorance in the society and can even take the issue to the people.
“Returning the award is an insult to the jury who selected the award winners. The awards are presented considering the talent,” he pointed out and said there is a need to oppose communal forces tooth and nail.