KOCHI: Noted litterateur from Kerala C Radhakrishnan on Monday resigned as eminent member of Sahitya Akademi as a mark of protest after Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal inaugurated this year's literary festival a few weeks ago.
Radhakrishnan, who sent his resignation to Sahitya Akademi secretary K Sreenivasarao, felt the minister's move amounted to 'politicisation of cultural affairs'.
"The festival was inaugurated by a person without any known credential whatsoever in literature. Strange that the Akademi wanted this person so badly that it waited till it became clear that declaration of general elections will not make the Akademi out of bounds for him," wrote Radhakrishnan, who is a recipient of several awards, including Sahitya Akademi award, Ezhuthachan award, Vayalar award and Kerala Sahitya Akademi award.
The author said this is the first time that such a thing happened in the long-chequered history of the Akademi "which consistently upheld its autonomy against pressure exerted by those with political clout". "Last year, a lesser official, a minister of state, had taken part in inaugural session of the festival, inviting protests from all of us. Assurance was given that this will not repeat. Hope you remember the unrelenting struggle we put up against efforts to influence the Akademi politically," he wrote.
Radhakrishnan said that he is not against any particular political party. "I protest politicisation of administration of culture eroding the independent stature of the Akademi," he wrote.
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