Sahitya Academy cancels seminar after outrage over invite to Devdutt Pattnaik, known for abusive behaviour
By Shweta Kumari | First Published Nov 16, 2024, 8:00 AM ISTSahitya Akademi (an autonomous body under the Union Ministry of Culture) cancelled a seminar after social media users expressed outrage over the invitation extended to writer Devdutt Pattanaik.
Sahitya Akademi (an autonomous body under the Union Ministry of Culture) cancelled a seminar after social media users expressed outrage over the invitation extended to writer Devdutt Pattanaik, who has been in controversy for abusive online behaviour. According to reports, the officer who organised the event was also suspended.
Devdutt Pattanaik was invited to give the inaugural address to a seminar titled ‘Indian Mythology: Memory, Retellings and Translations’ on November 25.
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The two-day seminar was scheduled to be held in the national capital, Delhi, on November 25-26. The Sahitya Akademi is yet to announce the new dates for the seminar.
“Due to unavoidable circumstances, the two-day Seminar on “Indian Mythology: Memory, Retellings & Translations” to be held in New Delhi on 25-26 November 2024 stands postponed,” informed Sahitya Akademi on X (formerly Twitter).
Due to unavoidable circumstances, the two-day Seminar on "Indian Mythology: Memory, Retellings & Translations" to be held in New Delhi on 25-26 November 2024 stands *postponed*.
— Sahitya Akademi (@sahityaakademi)"The Sahitya Akademi will announce the new dates for the Seminar which will be held at a later date," it added.
What unavoidable circumstances, sir? You handpicked anti-Hindu speakers, and now, faced with backlash, you’re conveniently "withdrawing" under the guise of "unavoidable circumstances". Let’s be honest—your decision was abysmal, and it’s clear there was a not-so-subtle "danda"…
— Anurag (@LekhakAnurag)
Really shame on u ppl allowing a antiHindu ranter as a speaker 🤦🏻♂️
— Vasista1971 (@huvemu)
Thank you for taking quick action and removing toxic people for key note speakers.
— Nitin B (@bnitin2010)Also read: Israel destroyed active nuclear weapons research facility in Iran, say researchers
The event was cancelled after netizens expressed how the alleged ‘mythologist’ abused women in multiple tweets using dehumanising language.
Casteist slurs, abusive jibes, sexist rants and an untriggered display of childlike anger are some examples of what Pattanaik's posts are all about.
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