ಒತ್ತಡಕ್ಕೆ ಮಣಿದ ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಅಕಾಡೆಮಿ ಅಂತೂ ಕೊನೆಗೆ ದೇಶದ ಅಭಿವ್ಯಕ್ತಿ ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯದ ರಕ್ಷಣೆಗೆ ಸಭೆ ನಡೆಸಲು ನಿರ್ಧರಿಸಿದೆ. ಕಲಬುರ್ಗಿ ಅವರ ಕೊಲೆ, ದಾದ್ರಿಯ ಹತ್ಯೆ, ಅಭಿವ್ಯಕ್ತಿ ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಎದುರಾಗಿರುವ ಆತಂಕವನ್ನು ಅಕಾಡೆಮಿ ಪ್ರಶ್ನಿಸುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ, ಚರ್ಚಿಸುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ, ಈ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಹೇಳಿಕೆ ನೀಡುವ ಗೋಜಿಗೂ ಹೋಗಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ಸಾಹಿತಿಗಳು ಆಕ್ರೋಶ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಪಡಿಸಿದ್ದರು.

I knew Kalburgi. I was upset ever since I heard about his death. I was born and brought up in Dharwad. He also lived in Dharwad. I thought there would be some statement, some regret (by the Akademi) over the manner of his death. It was not an ordinary death. He was killed because of his opinions and ideas. I thought the least I can do now is to move out of the association that does not speak for its members,”

-Shashi Deshpande

“A week after his killing, I participated in a seminar organised by the Sahitya Akademi. I was quite dismayed to see that the seminar began without a word of reference to the recent attack on a scholar honoured by the Akademi.”

– G N Devi

“Our freedom of independent thinking has been violated, and the Prime Minister, chairperson (Akademi) and others have remained silent.”

– Ajmer Singh Aulakh

I am returning this award as no action was taken against Sanatan Sanstha, an outfit whose members were allegedly involved in the killing of rationalists Govind Pansare and Narendra Dabholkar.

– Konkani writer Shivdas