New Delhi, February 16: The Sahitya Akademi award function here today was disrupted for a while when right-wing organisations protested against awarding a Telugu writer for his novel ‘Draupadi’, claiming the book was demeaning the mythological character.
When Y Laxmi Prasad’s name was announced at the function at Kamani Auditorium this evening, protesters raised slogans against the writer. ‘Draupadi’ has bagged the award in the Telugu novel section.
The protesters under the aegis of Siksha Bachao Sangh and Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad among others also blocked traffic near Mandi House, where the function was held.
There were a large number of policemen posted at the locality which prevented the protesters turning violent.
The protesters alleged that there was obscene reference to Draupadi and the novel was not according to the norms of society.
No case has been registered in connection with the incident.
–Agencies