News & Pic: Harshini
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi(EP)

Udupi, Nov 23: Senior author, poet and researcher, Dr Raghupathi Kemtoor, also known as R K Manipal, has returned Sahitya Academy award presented to him for his novel ‘Vimarsheya Sawalu’ in protest against growing intolerance in the country.

Speaking to the reporters, he said, "The freedom of conception, freedom of expression and freedom of food were not presented to us. They have come to us by birth as radicals. I have fought for communal harmony. My full name is Raghupathi Kemtoor. I have served in Manipal Pre University College for 35 years and later served as the Principal before retirement”.

“Karnataka Sahitya Academy is hesitating to give a statement against intolerance. The barrier to the basic freedom of Karnataka citizens is at danger. Everybody knows who is responsible for it. We being sensitive do not tolerate it. I have never written books to obtain awards.  People still revere us”.

“I am returning the award in protest against the stand taken by Karnataka Sahitya Academy”, he said. 

The award was presented to the author by the academy on February 28, 2008. 

He said that he has sent a cheque to the academy with the amount that was received by him in the award.