The decision of Nayantara Sahgal and Ashok Vajpeyi to return their Sahitya Akademi awards will put pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come out more forcefully on the lynching of a Muslim man in Dadri, UP. Although anger over the 'murder' ought to be directed at the Akhilesh Yadav government for its inability to protect minorities and take firm action against communal element, the BJP government at the Centre bears a moral responsibility as the killing is allegedly related to the anti-beef campaign launched by its affiliates. Both writers pointed to the vicious attack on the country's culture of diversity and debate and in an open letter titled 'Unmaking of India' Saghal emphasised that the right to dissent is an integral part of the Constitution. India is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural nation and the Central government needs to do more to protect this salient feature. The Home Ministry has issued a circular to all state governments to act firmly against violence against minorities, but that is not enough. As long as the BJP endorses the ideology that sparks such violent outbursts through its silence, the country will always be in danger of being overwhelmed by thugs who want to impose their version of culture or religion on others.
