In a communiqué to the President of this National Academy of Letters Vishwanath Pratap Tiwari, the author said the meeting of the executive committee scheduled on Friday should express serious concern over the prevailing threat to the creativity of the free thinking writers as well as the rising rate of intolerance in the country.
“It is the duty of the Akademi to safeguard the interests of the writers’ community and also ensure safety to the lives of its members. A strong message has to go to those in power that writers’ body will not tolerate any threat to their freedom,” he said adding, “We should also urge the Government to adopt stringent measures to curb the moral policing by the protagonists of mono-culturism who are emboldened by the mute stand taken by the law and order keepers.”
Stating that he has great regard for the Akademi, Mauzo also expressed that the institution should have come out with a strong condemnation over the recent killing of eminent writers or convened an emergency meeting to assess the situation. “The Akademi cannot remain silent on the issues pertaining to the scuttling of Freedom of Expression,” he said while quickly mentioning that he is contended that executive committee meeting – though belatedly, is scheduled on Friday.
“I sincerely feel that the Akademi will take the right decisions that will enhance our faith in its autonomy,” the noted novelist said.
A host of 11 noted writers, thinkers and authors had recently questioned the silence of the Akademi over the killings even as they said that returning awards was no solution.
