Writer returns award

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Nov 24, 2015: R.K. Manipal, progressive writer and researcher, has returned his Karnataka Sahitya Academy award in protest against the “growing intolerance against freedom of expression and thought and the attack on food habits.” He had won the award for his work ‘Vimarsheya Savalu’ in 2008.

Raghupathi Kemthur Manipal, popularly known as R.K. Manipal, told The Hindu on Monday that he had returned the award on October 30. However, since he shunned publicity, not many came to know about it. Mr. Manipal said that he was pained by growing intolerance in the country and also by the continuous attacks on freedom of thought and expression, which was essential for a vibrant society.

“I am also hurt by some forces trying to change food habits of people. Hence, I returned the award to the academy along with the cash amount. The assassination of the noted scholar-researcher M.M. Kalburgi shocked me,” he said.

 

Courtesy : The Hindu