Maha Govt revokes award to Marathi translation of Kobad’s memoir, scraps selection panel too
   Date :13-Dec-2022

Kobad memoir 
 
 
By Kartik Lokhande
Following the row that had erupted over Maharashtra Government announcing its prestigious literature award to Marathi translation of original English memoir of Kobad Ghandy, expelled Politburo Member of CPI (Maoist), now the Government has revoked the award. Also, it has scrapped the selection committee that had chosen the said translation for the award.
On December 6, Marathi Language Department of Maharashtra Government, had announced Late Yashwantrao Chavan State Literature Awards for the year 2021. Of 35 categories, no nominations were received in two. The 33 awardees announced vide a Government Resolution (GR) issued on December 6, included Anagha Lele for her Marathi translation of Kobad Ghandy’s original English book ‘Fractured Freedom: A Prison Memoir.’ The Marathi translation is published by Lokwangmay Gruha, Mumbai. The Government had chosen the author/translation for Tarktirth Laxmanshasatri Joshi Puraskar, which consists of Rs 1 lakh prize.
As soon as the news spread, there were angry reactions to this announcement of State Government over social media. Legal Rights Observatory (LRO) had called it outrageous in its tweet and urged Eknath Shinde, Chief Minister; Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister; to put the award on hold.
After the row erupted and literary bodies opposed the decision, Deepak Kesarkar, Minister for Marathi Language Department, had announced probe into the matter. He had announced through an official press release that once the probe was over, necessary action would be taken. On Monday, Marathi Language Department issued a Government Resolution stating that the award to Marathi translation of Ghandy’s book was revoked.
Further, it stated that the awards selection committee constituted by Chairman of Maharashtra Rajya Sahitya Sanskruti Mandal was scrapped ‘for administrative reasons’. It asked the Maharashtra Rajya Sahitya Sanskrutik Mandal to initiate action and apprise the Government about it.
It may be mentioned that the December 9, 2022, issue of The Hitavada CityLine, had carried the report about decision of Maharashtra Government about the award to Marathi translation of Kobad Ghandy’s book. The very day, Maharashtra Government took cognisance of The Hitavada report even as Minister announced an inquiry into the goof-up on part of Marathi Language Department. Now, the Government realised the grave mistake and retracted its decision.