"Respect for the Sahitya Akademi; no change in my stand of not accepting awards": M Swaraj

Thiruvananthapuram: CPI M state secretariat member and former MLA M Swaraj has declined the Kerala Sahitya Akademi’s Sibi Kumar Endowment Award, reaffirming his long-standing decision not to accept any form of recognition,be it for his political or literary contributions.

The award was announced for his essay collection Pookkalude Pusthakam. Swaraj said he was informed about the honour only late on Thursday, after spending the entire day at the CPI M state committee meeting.

“I’ve always had a firm stance of not accepting awards of any kind,” he wrote in a Facebook post. “In the past, when some trusts and committees considered me for honours, I had quietly informed them of my position. That’s why no public statement was needed then.”

With the Akademi award drawing media attention, Swaraj said a public clarification had become necessary.

“I repeat my position, whether it’s public work or literary contribution, I will never accept awards in my life. I extend only my respect to the Akademi,” he added.

A former leader of the SFI and DYFI, and a noted orator, Swaraj currently serves as the Resident Editor of Deshabhimani.