Jayanta Mahapatra returned his Padma Shri in 2015 for what reason?

After his recent demise, Jayanta Mahapatra, a prominent member of Odisha’s literary scene, is receiving renewed attention. Resurfacing as evidence of his steadfast values is his 2015 decision to return the Padma Shri award in protest against the rise of intolerance in India.

Mahapatra highlighted his worries about the widening social gaps in the nation in a sincere letter to President Pranab Mukherjee. “Mine is a small, insignificant step,” he said. However, it is my own means of expressing opposition to the country’s increasing asymmetry. I say that I’d want to reciprocate the honor…My actions shouldn’t be seen as a kind of national disgrace in any way.

Mahapatra, a notable modern poet from India, is credited as one of the creators of Indian English Poetry and is known for his distinctive lyrical style.
His amazing body of work consists of 27 volumes, seven of which were written in Odia and the rest in English.

Mahapatra said when asked why he chose to return the prize, “It is a personal choice. I gave it a lot of thinking, but after a certain occurrence that really upset me, I chose to return the prize. There is news in the newspaper every day. You are not allowed to consume any of these foods. I’m wounded by this.

He made it clear that his protest was in reaction to a number of things that genuinely concerned him, not because he was against any one political party. “I’m not protesting against any one party. The Dadri problem, Kovan’s detention by Jayalalithaa’s police, and the Assam Governor’s comments about Hindustan (being) for Hindus have all caused me great pain. I think that freedom is really being restricted,” he said.

Mahapatra had given a significant collection of more than 4,000 books, together with his Padma Shri award, Sahitya Akademi award, and other state literary honors, a year earlier to this moving deed.

These contributions were housed at the Fakir Mohan University’s heritage library in the Balasore neighborhood, where he had previously worked as a physics professor.

Mahapatra stated, “I may not be able to return the citation and the plaque as they are with the library,” in response to this act of kindness. I intended my protest to be symbolic. His actions, including turning down honors and making significant gifts, demonstrate his persistent adherence to his values and his genuine care for the nation’s situation.