The withdrawal of a Maharashtra government award to the Marathi translation of Kobad Ghandy’s prison memoir over “administrative reasons” has triggered a controversy within academic and literary circles, and its translator Anagha Lele surprised.
“It is very unfortunate as well as surprising because this is only the second case of cancellation of a state award. The award was declared on the basis of merit of translation and the withdrawal was for a totally different reason, which is illogical. I had read the book before accepting this project and didn’t find anything objectionable in it,” saidLele. “Social media buzz was considered more important than the expert committee's opinion, which is very surprising.”
