Arundhati Roy accepts PEN Pinter Prize for Palestinian, Kashmiri causes
London: Renowned Indian author and activist Arundhati Roy accepted the prestigious PEN Pinter Prize, using the platform to highlight the struggles of Kashmiris and Palestinians.
According to Kashmir Media Service, at a ceremony held at the British Library in London, Roy honored the courage of Egyptian-British activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah and expressed solidarity with oppressed communities worldwide, including those in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine.
The award recognizes exceptional writers who uncover truths about society through their literary merit and intellectual determination.
This year, Roy shared the honor with Egyptian-British activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah, who has been imprisoned in Egypt for his courageous stance against oppression. Abd el-Fattah’s case highlights the state of free speech in Egypt, resonating with Roy’s advocacy for the oppressed in India and Palestine.
Roy’s acceptance speech was a powerful manifesto, speaking for Abd el-Fattah and countless political prisoners worldwide.
She expressed solidarity with imprisoned Indian journalists, activists and intellectuals, naming Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and Khurram Parvaiz. Roy’s voice conveyed pain and determination to keep their stories alive.
“Greetings to you, my friends and comrades in prison in India—lawyers, academics, students, journalists,” she said, naming several Indian prisoners such as Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and Khurram Parvaiz, among others. Roy’s voice was filled with pain as she acknowledged their sacrifices but also with a fierce determination to keep their stories alive.
The PEN Pinter Prize celebrates writers who embody defiance, challenging the status quo and exposing state power brutalities. Roy’s selection of Abd el-Fattah underscores the critical role literature plays in resisting authoritarianism.
In a gesture of solidarity, Roy donated her share of the prize money to the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund, highlighting her commitment to justice. She drew parallels between Palestinian struggles and those of other oppressed communities, pleading for global solidarity.
“I stand here today in solidarity with the people of Gaza, with the Palestinian people, and with all those who resist occupation and oppression,” Roy said. “This prize is not just mine; it belongs to all those who fight for justice and dignity.”
The PEN Pinter Prize holds a special place in the literary world. Named after Harold Pinter, the legendary playwright and Nobel laureate, it honors writers who embody the spirit of defiance. Pinter, known for his searing critiques of political establishments and his ability to reveal uncomfortable truths, would have found kindred spirits in Roy and Abd el-Fattah. Both writers, like Pinter, challenge the status quo and expose the brutalities of state power, whether in India, Egypt, or beyond.
