Poet Jayanta Mahapatra returns Padma Shri protesting 'intolerance'

Indian English poet Jayanta Mahapatra has written to President Pranab Mukherjee expressing his desire to return the Padma Shri award in protest against the rising intolerance in the country.

In the letter to the President,  Mahapatra wrote, "Mine is a small, insignificant step....My act should not be considered as any kind of dishonor to the country."

Mahapatra, as reported in the Indian Express said, “My protest is not against a particular party. I am as much hurt by Dadri issue, Jayalaithaa’s police arresting Kovan as well as utterances of Assam Governor on Hindustan is for Hindus. I believe there is genuine curtailment of freedom."

Mahapatra claimed it to be a personal choice and clarified that it is in no way connected to the Sahitya Akademi.

Mahapatra is the first from Odisha to join the growing brigade of laureates who have returned their awards.