Parliamentary Panel Proposes ‘No Return’ Pledge to Curb Award Resignations Amid Intolerance Protests

New Delhi’s Parliamentary Panel Responds to Award Wapsi

In a bid to address the ongoing trend of literary figures returning their awards as a protest against rising “intolerance,” a parliamentary panel has proposed new measures. The committee, led by JD(U)’s Sanjay Jha, suggests that relevant bodies obtain a commitment from award recipients to respect the recognitions given to them.

Understanding the Award Wapsi Movement

The panel expressed concerns over the impact of these protests, stating that returning awards not only undermines the achievements of other recipients but also tarnishes the prestige of the awards themselves. The Sahitya Akademi and other Akademis are emphasized as apolitical organizations, with no place for political controversies.

Proposed Solutions

The committee recommends that a system be established to secure an undertaking from awardees. This would state that they accept the award and commit to honoring it in the future. While the culture ministry had previously expressed reservations about the legality and confidentiality of such commitments, the panel believes that a non-disclosure agreement could alleviate these concerns.

Future Implications

As discussed in the Lok Sabha report, the ministry’s agreement with the committee underlines the necessity of avoiding controversies surrounding award distributions. A well-defined policy could help in monitoring artists who return their awards while maintaining their affiliation with the Akademi.

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As the discourse around awards continues, it’s essential to stay informed and engaged with the cultural conversations shaping our society.