Award-wapsi has become fashion, says Chetan Bhagat

Pune, Jan 18: Popular Indian English writer Chetan Bhagat on Monday termed the 'award-wapsi' campaign as a "fashion".

Speaking at the 89th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan or the All India Marathi literary convention at Pimpri-Chinchwad near here, Bhagat noted, "There are different kinds of writers. There are some who want to win the awards and some who want to return the awards."

On being asked about the "purpose" of his writing, he said, "I write for myself. Award-wapsi has become a fashion and as far as I am concerned, as I have not received any award, there is no question of returning one."

The writers have received love and affection of the readers which can not be returned, he said.

Bhagat, writer of popular English novels such as 'Five Point Someone' and `2 States', has been critical of the award-wapsi (returning of awards) campaign by the writers and artists which gained momentum after the Dadri lynching incident last year.

Speaking about his journey from a banker to writer, Bhagat said because of his background, he struggled to get a toehold in the publishing world.

"The publishing industry did not accept me easily and it was largely because of my qualification. However, gradually, I managed to get a toehold," he said.

PTI