Union Minister Inaugurating Festival: Author C Radhakrishan Resigns From Sahitya Akademi

Esteemed author C Radhakrishan tendered his resignation from the Sahitya Akademi, India”s National Academy of Letters. The resignation follows his strong objection to the inauguration of this year”s Sahitya Akademi Festival of Letters by a Union Cabinet Minister of the Government of India, sparking debates over the autonomy of the esteemed institution.

In his resignation letter addressed to Dr. Sreenivasa Rao, the Secretary of Sahitya Akademi, Radhakrishan voiced his vehement protest against what he termed as the “politicalization of administration of culture” within the Akademi. Expressing dismay over the choice of the Cabinet Minister as the inaugural guest, Radhakrishan highlighted the lack of literary credentials of the said minister. He emphasized the historical precedence of Sahitya Akademi maintaining its autonomy against political pressures, lamenting the alleged erosion of this independence.

Radhakrishan”s letter underscored concerns about the potential redrafting of the Akademi”s constitution by political entities, signaling what he perceived as a dire threat to the democratic autonomy of cultural institutions in the nation. His resignation, therefore, stands as a symbolic act of defiance against what he perceives as the impending demise of the last bastion of democratically autonomous cultural institutions in India.

Responding to Radhakrishan”s resignation, Dr. Sreenivasa Rao released a press statement refuting the allegations made by the esteemed author. Rao highlighted that the Union Cabinet Minister inaugurating the festival, Arjun Ram Meghwal, is himself a writer with notable contributions to Hindi and Rajasthani literature. The statement emphasized that the participation of ministers in literary programs is not unprecedented and does not compromise the autonomy of Sahitya Akademi.

Sri Madhav Kaushik, the President of Sahitya Akademi, further reiterated the stance, stating that Radhakrishan”s claims regarding the unprecedented nature of political participation in the Akademi”s events were misleading. Kaushik affirmed the Akademi”s commitment to literary dialogue and promotion across diverse linguistic and cultural landscapes of India.