Noted writer G. Ramakrishna, to whom Karnataka Sahitya Academy announced its honorary award for 2014, has rejected the award citing a host of reasons, including efforts to give Venkatappa Art Gallery for adoption by Tasveer Foundation.
Mr. Ramakrishna said that the government’s move to give up public spaces, like VAG and Belur-Halebidu, to private firms would only put them out of bounds for the common man, which is unacceptable.
He further said that his refusal to accept the award was also in protest against the lack of political will to enact the Anti Superstition Bill, the Cultural Policy recommended by the Baragur Ramachandrappa-headed committee and failure to bring the culprits who killed M.M. Kalburgi to book.
