Patkar supports writers returning Akademi awards

Hailing several writers' move to return their Sahitya Akademi award in the aftermath of Kannada scholar M M Kalburgi murder and Dadri lynching incident, social activist Medha Patkar today said an atmoshpere of communalism and divisive forces was prevailing in the country.
"We respect the litterateurs who returned their awards to Akademi as an atmosphere of communalism and divisive forces is prevailing in the country as a threat to society," Patkar told a joint conference called by Jan Andolan's National Coordination here.
Like public and farmers' pressure forced the Narendra Modi government to stop the land acquistion bill, similarly public should also support this cause, she said.

She asserted that writers could bring changes in society by serious commitment and strong writings.
On the satyagraha of BJP veteran Gurucharan Chabra against use and sale of liquor in Rajasthan since October 2, Patkar said he was challenging both of those drinking liquor and the government providing it. The state government should take it seriously and resolve the deadlock due to Chabra's agitation, she said.
On mines bribery case involving crores of rupees corruption, Patkar said it was stunning that the state's Principal Secretary in Mines department was arrested with cash bribe over Rs 2.55 cr, and wondered that it could not be assessed how much corruption prevailing in the state.

Illegal mining was also another issue which the state government was neglecting, she said, adding that the labourers engaged in it were exploited too.
Jalore and Barmer's extreme corner were getting minimum water from Narmada in Gujarat, she said, the both states should work together in this direction for better availability of water.
Patkar was addressing a press conference jointly with Aruna Roy, president of MKSS, and Sawai Singh, president of Rajasthan Samrag Seva Sangh.