C Radhakrishnan resigns distinguished membership of Kendra Sahitya Akademi

KOCHI: Noted writer C Radhakrishnan has resigned his distinguished membership of Kendra Sahitya Akademi. He announced his resignation from the honorary membership in protest against the inauguration of the academy festival by the union minister. The festival was inaugurated by a person with no experience in literature and the letter indicated that he was opposed to politicization of the academy eroding the freedom of the academy and said the last time when the minister of state attended the inauguration ceremony, protests were raised.

‘Informing protests on the festival being inaugurated by the union minister who has nothing to do with literature. No one’s name was there in the programme. The invitation letter was later sent with the name of the union minister. When the minister of state attended the inaugural function, there was a protest. Had assured that such things would not happen again. I am not against any political party. However, strongly opposes politicization of the academy to the extent that it erodes its independence,' C Radhakrishnan said in the letter. Radhakrishnan opined that political leaders are trying to rewrite even the constitution of the academy and does not want to continue as the distinguished membership of the akademi in this situation.