Kathmandu, September 27
Novelist Sanjeev Uprety has said he cannot share the Padmashree Literature Award stage with Modanath Prashrit, who has been awarded Padmashree Sadhana Samman.
Khemlal Harikala Lamichhane Academy established by NRN leader Jiba Lamichhane gives these two awards–one to a literary work and its writer and the other to a person dedicating their life to a sector of society–every year. Both the awards will be handed over to the winners at the same event.
But, Uprety, who has won the prize for his latest novel Hamsha, says he is not ready to share the stage with Prashrit as a woman a few years ago accused the former communist leader of sexual violence, which Prashrit has not denied yet.
“It will be difficult for me to receive the prize sitting with a sexual violence-accused writer on the stage,” says Uprety.
The former Tribhuvan University professor of English has also been active in academic and social discussions about gender equality and women empowerment of late.
Uprety says he has already informed the organisation of his decision.
