Javed Akhtar becomes first Indian to receive Richard Dawkins Award
Mumbai: Veteran writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar has won the 2020 Richard Dawkins Award for critical thinking, holding religious dogma up to scrutiny, advancing human progress and humanist values.
Akhtar has become the first Indian to be given the honour, which recognises distinguished individual from the field of science, scholarship, education, or entertainment, who publicly proclaims the values of secularism and rationalism and upholding scientific truth.
Akhtar's wife, veteran actor Shabana Azmi said the award's relevance becomes more prominent especially in the current times when secularism is under attack.
"I am thrilled. I know what a hero Richard Dawkins has been for Javed. The award gains all the more significance because in today's time when secularism is being attacked by religious fundamentalists of all hues, this award comes as a validation of Javed's long service to rational thinking," Azmi told PTI.
The award is named after world-renowned English evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins. Actor-comedian Ricky Gervais received the honour last year.
Bollywood celebrities Anil Kapoor ans Dia Mirza took to Twitter to congratulate the 75-year-old writer for the recognition.
"Knowing that Richard Dawkins has been your hero since you read 'The Selfish Gene', the prestigious Richard Dawkins Award must be extra special for you @Javedakhtarjadu Saab! It's a truly incredible honour! Congratulations!" Kapoor tweeted.
Dia said Akhtar's win is a proud moment for rhe country.
"Javed Akhtar Saab has won the the prestigious Richard Dawkins Award 2020 for critical thinking, holding religious dogma upto scrutiny, advancing human progress and humanist values. He is the only Indian to have won this award! @Javedakhtarjadu Congratulations! You make us proud," Dia wrote.
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HC stays women commission’s notice against HDK over ‘women going astray remark’
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Friday stayed a notice issued by the State Commission for Women against former Chief Minister and JD(S) state President HD Kumaraswamy over allegations of insulting women.
A bench headed by Justice M.Nagaprasanna hearing the petition filed by Kumaraswamy stayed the notice issued by the State Commission for Women, and also issued a notice to the Chairperson, Dr. Nagalakshmi Chaudhary, and the Commission.
Justice M Nagaprasanna pointed out that no notice or summons, as permitted by the Karnataka State Commission for Women Act, was given to Kumaraswamy. “A clarification is sought which, on the surface, appears to be beyond its authority,” added.
During the hearing of the application, the lawyer arguing on behalf of HD Kumaraswamy, said that despite the JD(S) leader giving a clarification on his statement on April 15, the Commission issued a notice seeking further clarification.
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In his plea, Kumaraswamy also alleged the Chairperson of the Commission being biased and acting to gain the goodwill of her political masters and the order was issued in contrary to the Section 7(3) of the Karnataka State Commission for Women Act, which states that all the orders and decisions issued by the Commission shall be authenticated by the Secretary or any other duly authorised officer of the Commission.
Furthermore, Kumaraswamy has also urged the HC to quash the summons and notice issued by the State Women’s Commission.
The JD(S) leader while campaigning in Tumkur's, Turuvekere for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate, V Somanna, is alleged to have said that the rural women were being led astray due to Congress government’s guarantee schemes, which triggered a row.
