Novelist Arundhati Roy, renowned for her literary works and winner of the Booker Prize, has been awarded the PEN Pinter Prize for her 'powerful voice' in addressing human rights issues in India and globally. The prize, established in memory of playwright Harold Pinter, recognizes writers of outstanding literary merit who take an unflinching look at the world. Roy, an outspoken writer and activist, has faced legal action and criticism from right-wing groups for her speeches and writings. She will receive the prize on 10 October in a ceremony co-hosted by the British Library. Previous winners include Michael Rosen, Malorie Blackman, Margaret Atwood, Salman Rushdie, Tom Stoppard, and Carol Ann Duffy. [117cd2a5]
Novelist Arundhati Roy, renowned for her literary works and winner of the Booker Prize, is facing prosecution under India's anti-terrorism law. Over 200 Indian academics, activists, and journalists have published an open letter urging the Indian government to withdraw the decision to prosecute Roy. The signatories deplore the action and appeal to the government and democratic forces to ensure freedom of expression is not infringed upon. The decision to prosecute Roy, along with academic Sheikh Showkat Hussain, was given by the lieutenant governor of Delhi, Vinai Kumar Saxena, under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for remarks made at a seminar in 2010. The case is expected to be challenged in court due to the 14-year delay in pursuing the complaint and the lack of evidence linking Roy to violence or efforts to overthrow the state. Some believe the decision to prosecute Roy is a message to Modi's critics that dissent will not be tolerated.
The UN Human Rights Office has now joined the call for the dropping of cases against Arundhati Roy and Sheikh Showkat Hussain. Expressing concern over the use of the anti-terror law in India to silence critics, the office urged authorities to review the law and release human rights defenders detained under it. The office highlighted the case of Roy and Hussain as an example of the misuse of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena had given permission to prosecute Roy and Hussain for allegedly making provocative speeches at an event in 2010. The UN Human Rights Office's statement adds international pressure to the growing demand for the withdrawal of the prosecution against Roy.
It remains to be seen how the Indian government will respond to the calls from both domestic and international voices to drop the cases against Arundhati Roy and Sheikh Showkat Hussain. The case has sparked a wider debate about freedom of expression and the use of anti-terrorism laws to stifle dissent in India. [6d11d08f]