Sahitya Akademi condemns Kalburgi Murder, backs Writers

Under pressure from several quarters for maintaining silence over the murder of Sahitya Akademi awardee MM Kalburgi, the Executive Board of Sahitya Akademi passed a resolution, condemning the killing and also urged the writers to take back their awards they have returned so far.

The Akademi supported the cause taken up by the writers and requested the Centre and Karnataka Government to punish the guilty in Kalburgi murder case. At the same time, it rejected the charges made by protesting writers that its autonomy has been compromised in any manner. The Akademi also condemned the rising “intolerance” and asked the governments to remain vigilant to prevent such incidents.

Earlier in the morning, several writers held a silent protest march to condemn the Kalburrgi murder and submitted a memorandum to the Akademi pledging to take strong steps to safeguard the freedom of speech and right to dissent of the writers.

As many as 40 writers have so far decided to return the Sahitya Akademi awards, citing ‘rising intolerance’ in the country. Their protest was backed by the rivals of BJP and PM Modi, while slammed by others. Kalburgi was shot dead in the morning of 30 August 2015 at his residence in Dharwad district of Karnataka by two unidentified men.