P Sainath, a well-known journalist and recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, announced on Friday that he is returning the Basavashree award that the Murugha Math bestowed to him in 2017. After the head pontiff of the Murugha Math, Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, was detained for allegedly sexually abusing schoolgirls, Mr. Sainath made his choice public in a series of tweets.
“In solidarity with the survivors and with the cause of justice in this case, I hereby return the Basavashree award (and the ₹ 5 lakh prize money that came with it by cheque) conferred on me by the Math in 2017,” Mr Sainath said in one of the tweets.
He said that learning that Sharanaru is accused of violating both the SC-ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act disturbed him.
The eminent journalist said there are no words powerful enough to condemn such crimes against children. He also praised Mysuru-based NGO “OdaNadi’s” decades-long campaign against societal evils and attempts to bring the instances to light. He also urged the Karnataka government to firmly pursue the scandal investigation. In connection with the matter, the seer has been held in police prison until September 5.
Source: NDTV
