Udupi: “The return of the award on the grounds that there is intolerance in India is a complete drama. Those who did so should be given only a photocopy of the award instead of the award,” said Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary.
Speaking to mediapersons here on Tuesday March 14, he said, It is not right for Rahul Gandhi, the National President of the Congress, to speak ill of India abroad. “No Congress leader, including Siddaramaiah, has spoken about Democracy in India even though it is under threat,” he said.
“When Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, some intellectuals had campaigned for the return of awards saying that there is intolerance in the Country. I had raised this issue in the Legislative Council. Umashree, the then Minister for Kannada and Culture, replied that the writers had not returned the award but only its xerox copy stating that there is intolerance in India. This allegations of intolerance and in turn returning award are both false and hideous agenda,” he said.
