Ranchi:At its 11th National Conference, the Janvadi Lekhak Sangh (Progressive Writers’ Association) passed a resolution demanding the immediate suspension of Sahitya Akademi Secretary K. Srinivas Rao. The demand comes in light of recent developments surrounding serious allegations of sexual harassment against him.It is deeply shameful that the secretary of the country's highest literary institution continues to remain in office despite facing such grave charges. In 2018, a female colleague had filed a formal complaint of sexual harassment against him. Following this, she was dismissed from her job on the alleged grounds of “poor performance.”
However, on August 25, 2025, the Delhi High Court ruled this dismissal as an act of "retaliation" and declared it illegal. The court ordered the reinstatement of the female employee and clarified that the matter must be heard by the Local Complaints Committee (LCC), not by the internal committee formed by the Akademi.
This decision makes it clear that while the final verdict on the sexual harassment allegations is pending, the act of retaliation by the Secretary has already been legally established. In such a situation, his continuation in office is not only inappropriate but also an insult to the literary and cultural community.
The Janvadi Lekhak Sangh's resolution demands two main actions:
1--Immediate suspension of Sahitya Akademi Secretary K. Srinivas Rao.
2--A fair and transparent investigation into the matter.
Additionally, the conference appealed to all writers, intellectuals, and members of the progressive literary community to boycott Sahitya Akademi programs if the secretary is not suspended without delay.
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