Humanity Must Trump Religion When The Two Clash: Vikram Seth to NDTV

Acclaimed novelist and Poet Vikram Seth is the latest high profile writer to weigh in on the return of literary honours by writers across India. Speaking exclusively to NDTV, Vikram Seth said, while awards personally mean little to him but the response of the Sahitya Akademi has been "mealy mouthed". Mr Seth said that he admires those who had returned the honours and felt it required a lot of courage. Asked by a young student if he too would return his Sahitya Akademi award, which he won for his novel in verse- The Golden Gate, Mr Seth said that he was waiting to see what happens at the next meeting of the Akademi. If the Akademi continues to remain passive on free speech and the protection of thinkers and writers, he too would give back the honor, Mr Seth said.