Noted journalist and Ramon Magsaysay awardee P Sainath has said he is returning the Basavashree award, which was conferred on him by the Murugha M🅠ath in 2017.
In a series of tweets on Friday, Sainath made his decision public after the chief pontiff of the Murugha Math, Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru was arrested for the alleged 😼sexual abuse of school girls.
"In solidarity with the? survivors and with the cause of justice in this case, I hereby returnꦍ the Basavashree award (and the Rs 5 lakh prize money that came with it by cheque) conferred on me by the Math in 2ꩵ017,"; Sainath said in one of the tweets.
He said he was disturbed to learn from media reports that Sharanaru faces charges under the Protection of Childr♐en from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the SC-ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
No word is stron🎃g enough to condemn such offences against children, the eminent journalist said.
He also appreciated the efforts of Mysuru-based NGO 'OdaNadi' to bring the 🤪incidents to light and their decades-lon🃏g fight against social evils.
He also a✃ppealed to the Karn🌠ataka government to pursue the investigation into the scandal vigorously.
The pontiff has been re꧅manded in police custody till September 5 in connection with the case.
(Inputs from PTI)
