Udupi, 12 Jan 2017: Writer and critic G Rajashekhar, on Tuesday reportedly rejected the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award citing ‘continuing atmosphere of intolerance’ in the state and country as the reason.
Media reports state that writers had in 2015 too refused awards citing intolerance and violence; however, nothing had changed since, instead the situation had become worse.
Rajashekhar’s book Bahuvachana Bharata was chosen for the award; it has articles on contemporary political issues and literature.
Rajashekhar said that right-wing forces were gaining strength in the country and that no one listened to secular forces.