Pune, 23 Dec

(HS): For the first time the announcement of the Sahitya Academy Awards 2025,

were deferred, allegedly due to interference of the Union Ministry of Cultural

Affairs. The press conference scheduled to be held on December 18 for

announcement of the awards, was cancelled at the last moment. Maharashtra

Pradesh Congress Committee Spokesperson Gopaldada Tiwari has raised strong

objection to the interference of the government in autonomous Sahitya Academy.

For the first

time the Culture Ministry has interfered in the process quoting agreement with

four autonomous bodies – Sahita Academy, Sangeet Natak Academy, Lalit Kala

Academy and National School of Drama. The ministry suggested restructuring of the

awards in consultation of the Culture Ministry.

Late Prime

Minister Pt Jawaharlal Nehru had established Sahita Academy on March 12, 1954

and was formally inaugurated by the then Education Minister Moulana Abul Kalam

Azad.

Gopaldada Tiwari

has alleged that during the 70 years of existence of the Sahitya Academy this

is the first occasion that the government is trying to use ‘Veto Power’ in the

process of selection for the awards. Chairman of the Academy has sought reply

from the ministry relating to halting the process of selecting the award

winners. He alleged that this is an attempt to seize powers of the literary

organisations.

The litterateurs

and literary organisations have expressed discontent over the interference of

the Union Government in the literary field.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar