Question : Returning of Awards

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 171
TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.11.2015

RETURNING OF AWARDS

171. SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR:
SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY:
SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE:
SHRI SHIVKUMAR UDASI:
SHRI C.N. JAYADEVAN:
SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the government is aware that many renowned literary writers are returning awards given to them for their exemplary work in the field of literature;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the names of those writers who returned their awards;
(c) the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government in this regard ?

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR CULTURE & TOURISM AND
MINISTER OF STATE FOR CIVIL AVIATION
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

ANSWER

(a) Yes, Madam.

(b) A statement showing the details of the writers and artists is given at Annexure. The return of the awards is stated to be in protest against the recent mishappenings against the writers, etc.

(c)&(d) Sahitya Akademi had convened a special Executive Board meeting in which a Resolution was passed condemning the attack on and murder of any writer or artist and requesting the writers, who had returned the awards, to reconsider their decision.