“The Union Government has not yet sent its list of nominees as the Akademi has not asked for it,” commented a member.

As per the constitution the outgoing general council selects the members for the list recommendable by states and other bodies. The special meeting also increased the number of foreign fellows, eminent scholars selected from all over the world from five to 10.

The Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad of Pune is already protesting. It has stated that: “Narang’s manipulations to retain the president’s post and his attempts to pressurise the head of a ex-president of the Marathi Sahitya Sammelan is highly objectionable, condemnable and deplorable.”

The reference is to Narang having persuaded Vijaya Rajadhaksha to recommend the name of Dyneshwar Mule, an IAS officer and Marathi poet based in New Delhi.

The Parishad alleges that Narang is trying to get members of his own group into the next general body of the Sahitya Akademi, who in turn will support him for the second term.

But this move created an unprecedented situation. In order to recommend Mule’s name, Marathi Sahitya Parishad had to bend its rule. However the backdoor entry of Mule created a flutter and the executive body of the Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad decided against recommending Mule.

The authorities of the Parishad and All-India Marathi Sahitya Mahamandal, the highest decision making body expressed deep concern about the said nomination, which is not only irregular but appeared to be made with malafide intentions,” said Madhavi Vaidya, Chief Secretary of the Parishad.

... contd.