Poet Jayanta Mahapatra had Returned Padma Shri, Know Why

Noted poet Jayanta Mahapatra returned the Padma Shri award in 2015. It was his mark of protest against growing intolerance in India.

In a letter addressed to then President of India Pranab Mukherjee, the great literary personality of Odisha, Jayanta Mahapatra wrote, “Mine is a small, insignificant step. But it is my personal way of showing protest to the growing asymmetry that is evident in the country. I express my desire to return the award…My act should not be considered as any kind of dishonor to the country.”

He emphasized that his protest was not against any particular political party but was a response to a series of events and incidents that deeply troubled him. “My protest is not against a particular party. I am as much hurt by the Dadri issue, Jayalalithaa’s police arresting Kovan, as well as the utterances of the Assam Governor on Hindustan (being) for Hindus. I believe there is a genuine curtailment of freedom,” he said.

For his unique poetic style, Mahapatra is considered one of the founders of Indian English Poetry. He has 27 books, including seven written in Odia to his credit.