'I have more respect and regard for the love of the people'

Kanaksen Deka, owner-editor of Dainik Agradoot, a leading Assamese newspaper, hit the headlines recently for refusing to accept the Padma Shri conferred on him by the government this Republic Day.

The veteran editor, who has been a strong critic of the mindless militancy in Assam, has recently been elected as president of the state's largest socio-literary organisation, the Asom Sahitya Sabha. He spoke to Contributing Special Correspondent G Vinayak in Guwahati.

Why did you refuse to accept the Padma Shri?

Let me make it clear before I answer your question that I have the highest regard for the Padma awards and the government. I am, in fact, thankful to the authorities for having chosen me for the award, but there are compelling reasons why I declined to receive it. The reality is I have more respect and regard for the love of the people. I consider their love as more valuable.

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But you have received so many awards in the past, how would a Padma award have made any difference?

Precisely. In my over four-decade long career as a journalist and writer, I have been fortunate to receive innumerable awards from the people. For instance, I have been conferred with Sangbad Jyoti Award, Sangbad Samart, Sangbad Mukut award to name a few by the people of Assam. Therefore, I did not want to devalue the people's support to me by accepting what is essentially a government award.

How has people's support helped you in your career?

It is only because of the people's support that I have been given the recognition and honour by different organisations even at the national level in the past. For my consistent and trenchant criticism of terrorism in Assam, I was conferred the Ram Manohar Lohia National Award. This award came at a time when many people were glorifying the militants in Assam but I was writing against their activities. Similarly, in 1996, I received the National Citizens award for my writings against terrorism. This award was, in fact, given away by none other than Mother Teresa [ Images ].

On top of everything, the people of Assam have now elected me as the president of the Asom Sahitya Sabha, the largest literally and socio-political body of the state, if not entire India [ Images ]. The people have thus shown tremendous love and respect for me and my work.