When social activist and litterateur Mahasweta Devi presented an award by a group of Kerala writers under the forum of Kovilan Trust, Irom Singhajit, who represented his sister Sharmila, politely returned it.
Sharmila has expressed a desire not to receive any award from any individual or organization until and unless its request to repeal the AFSPA has been met,- Singhajit said.
He asked members of the Kovilan Trust to keep the award which included a memento and a cheque of Rs 50,000 in safe custody.
"After Sharmila comes out winning, she will collect it herself," said the brother of the civil rights activist.