A controversy erupted in the Sahitya Akademi on Monday after noted Malayalam author C. Radhakrishnan resigned from the membership of the premier literary body’s general council citing political interference.
In a letter addressed to Sahitya Akademi member secretary K. Sreenivasarao, Mr. Radhakrishnan said: “I strongly protest against this year’s Akademi Festival having been inaugurated by a Cabinet Minister of the Government of India, a person without any known credential whatsoever in literature.”
He was referring to Union Minister of State for Culture Arjun Ram Meghwal inaugurating the 39th edition of ‘Sahityotsav: The Festival of Letters’ on March 11. The event witnessed the participation of more than 1,000 authors in over 170 languages.