Pitiable and condemnable that artists Sahgal, Vajpeyi returned their Sahitya Akademi awards: Congress

Expressing concern over the decisions of writer Nayantara Sahgal and poet Ashok Vajpeyi to return the prestigious 'Sahitya Akademi' awards, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala on Wednesday questioned Prime Minister Modi's continued silence over the Dadri incident.

"It's indeed pitiable and condemnable that artists of this country be, Nayantara Sahgal or Ashok Vajpeyi have to give back their awards to attract the attention of the Prime Minister and force him to speak a few words against danger to decimation of India's core ideas. Modi's ministers like Mahesh Sharma, MLA Sangeet Som in a systematic conspiracy issued statements which are aimed at dividing our polity and spreading a communal menace," Surjewala told ANI here.

"Where has Prime Minister's voice gone. What has happened to his oath of office to protect India's citizens. What happened to the onus and responsibility of Prime Minister that brotherhood in India is maintained and core philosophy is maintained," he added.

After writer Nayantara Sahgal returned her Sahitya Akademi award protesting Dadri incident, poet Ashok Vajpeyi on Wednesday has also given up the prestigious literary honour questioning PM Modi's silence over the issue.