Kolkata:
Celebrated author-activist Mahasweta Devi has resigned as chairperson of West Bengal's top literary body - the Bangla Academy. It is a post she was appointed to by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee last year. One of the academy's tasks is to annually give out the Vidyasagar Puraskar to deserving writers. But now, the government has refused to give the award to two people selected by the academy. It has agreed to give the award only one of the two writers named by Mahasweta Devi. That, Mahasweta Devi says, is humiliating and, on Tuesday, sent her resignation letter to Mamata Banerjee.
"I felt humiliated and insulted because I too am a person who is known all over India. I have received the Jnanpith which is India's highest literary award. From Manila, I also got the Magasasay. So when I recommend a book I do it after reading it thoroughly," Mahasweta Devi said.
One of the most prominent figures in last year's battle for poribartan, Mahasweta Devi led a committee of five eminent writers associated with the Bangla Academy and, a couple of months ago, selected two writers for the Vidyasagar Award. Shankarprasad Chakraborty and Shibaji Bandopadhyay.
The decision was, thereafter conveyed to the concerned authorities in government. But yesterday the government informed Bangla Academy that only Shibaji Bandopadhyay would be given the Vidyasagar Award. When Mahasweta Devi learnt about it, she was shocked.
"I recommended both of them and the committee resolution was to honour this decision that two persons will get this award. That has not been done. That's why I have resigned," said the 87-year-old writer.
In literary circles, some feel Mahasweta Devi should not feel slighted as the government was awarding a person named by her, after all. Others feel Mahasweta Devi's authority was being undermined. From Mamata Banerjee, no word as yet.