The acclaimed writer condemned the military actions of Israel, referring to the violence against Palestinians as genocidal, and highlighted the disproportionate impact on women and children
Team Clarion
LONDON – Arundhati Roy, the acclaimed Indian author and activist, was awarded the PEN Pinter Prize 2024 in recognition of her literary achievements and fearless commitment to social justice.
During the award ceremony here on Thursday, she shared the honour with Egyptian-British activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah, who remains imprisoned in Egypt for his outspoken activism.
Roy used her acceptance speech to highlight global struggles, particularly focusing on Palestine and political prisoners in India, according to media reports.
During the award ceremony at the British Library, Roy made a poignant statement by donating her prize money to the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF). This gesture was a clear sign of her solidarity with the Palestinian people, particularly the children suffering from the ongoing violence and military occupation in Gaza and the West Bank
In her speech, Roy condemned the military actions of Israel, referring to the violence against Palestinians as genocidal, and highlighted the disproportionate impact on women and children. She condemned the actions of Israel in Gaza and the West Bank, framing the conflict as a fight against occupation and oppression, not an equal battle between the two sides.
She also connected the Palestinian struggle with broader issues of global injustice, criticising US foreign policy and the narrative that often presents the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as one of equal aggression. She argued that the root cause of the violence lies in the occupation and oppression of Palestinians.
The award is named after Nobel Laureate Harold Pinter and honours writers who show a dedication to speaking truth to power, a characteristic central to Roy’s work.
In choosing to share the award with Abd el-Fattah, Roy underscored the importance of intellectual resistance to state oppression. Abd el-Fattah, known for his role in the Egyptian revolution of 2011 and his continued activism, has become a symbol of resistance against authoritarianism. His detention has been widely condemned by human rights groups, and Roy’s recognition of his work further amplified calls for his release
Through her speech, Roy not only celebrated the resilience of Palestinian children but also called for global recognition of the suffering inflicted by oppressive regimes. Her donation of the prize money to PCRF was a symbolic act that highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Palestine while advocating for international solidarity and action against such injustices.
