MeToo accused Vairamuthu announces he ‘will return’ ONV Literary Award after facing backlash

Recently, Tamil songwriter and poet Vairamuthu was honoured with the ONV Literary Award constituted in the memory of legendary poet ONV Kurup. Post this there was a huge outrage on social media for honouring Vairamuthu, the MeToo accused with such a prestigious award. Tamil singer Chinmayi Sripada called out the academy and criticised the jury for presenting the award to Vairamuthu and even actress Parvathy slammed the jury for the same.

Now, Vairamuthu has declared that he will be returning the ONV Literary Award. He shared a video on his Twitter handle and captioned it, “I will return the award #ONVaward.” The reason behind his decision is that he doesn’t want to put the jury in a ‘difficult spot’. So, he chose to return it.

விருதைத் திருப்பித் தருகிறேன்…#ONVaward https://t.co/1ELyjBgnu6

— வைரமுத்து (@Vairamuthu) May 29, 2021

As per Indian Express, Vairamuthu said in the video, “The ONV cultural academy announced that this year the prestigious ONV Kurup literary award will be given to me. I was happy and grateful to receive the award. But, due to the interference of a few envious people, it was announced that the award is being re-examined. I am afraid this decision may belittle me and the ONV award. I also don’t wish to put a group of distinguished judges in a difficult spot. I would prefer to avoid receiving this award amid all the controversies. I would like to make one thing clear, I am being very honest. Nobody wants to examine my honesty. In this situation, I have made a clear decision. I am returning the award to the ONV a cultural academy.”

He also requested that the cash reward of Rs 3 lakh that he received along with the award be donated to Kerala CM’s relief fund. He also said that he will be contributing another Rs 2 lakh to the CM relief fund. “Let the brotherhood between Tamil and Malayalam thrive. I would also like to thank Tamil CM MK Stalin for congratulating me when the award was announced to me,” he said further.

For the unversed, Vairamuthu was accused of sexual harassment by multiple women during the MeToo movement.

Also Read: Parvathy slams the jury of ONV literary award for honouring MeToo accused Vairamuthu