UP governor Ram Naik questions 'timing' of writers' resignations

Kanpur, Oct 14: Amid a string of writers returning their awards protesting Dadri lynching and "growing intolerance" in the country, Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik today questioned the "timing" of their action.

"Everyone in this country has freedom of expression. But the writers returning their awards should have thought whether it was proper time to give it back," Naik said on the sidelines of the inauguration of a seminar at IIT Kanpur.

At least 28 authors including Nayantara Sahgal and Ashok Vajpeyi have decided to return their Akademi awards and five writers have stepped down from official positions of Sahitya Akademi General Council, which in turn has convened an emergency meeting on October 23 to discuss the developments.

Asked about compensation for the victim of Dadri lynching, Mohammad Akhlaq's family, the Governor said that it was the duty of the state government to help deceased's kin.

"The compensation amount should be same for similar incidents...since victim's family fall into hardship," Naik said while expressing condolence for the deceased Akhlaq's family.

PTI