Indian poet Jacinta Kerketta Declines American Award in Solidarity With Palestine

Indian poet Jacinta Kerketta has declined the ‘Room to Read Young Author Award 2024’ in protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza. Kerketta was recognized for her children’s poetry collection Jirhul, selected by an Indian NGO in collaboration with USAID. However, she refused the award due to concerns over the USA’s involvement in the ongoing conflict.

“The local organization that selected me for the award works for children’s education, but it is funded by organizations like USAID, which do business with arms companies responsible for the massacre of children in Gaza,” Kerketta stated.

She emphasized the moral dilemma of supporting organizations linked to violence while promoting education for children, questioning, “How can the business of armaments and the care for children coexist when the world of children is being destroyed by these same weapons?”

Kerketta’s decision underscores her commitment to humanitarian issues, as she concluded, “Books are important for children, but thousands of children were killed in Palestine, and elders are unable to protect them.” Her stance highlights the broader implications of global politics on artistic recognition and advocacy for children’s rights.

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