Indian poet Jacinta Kerketta has made headlines by rejecting a US-backed arts award as a show of solidarity with the people of Palestine. The 41-year-old poet, hailing from the Indigenous community of Oraon in Jharkhand, eastern India, declined the 2024 Room to Read Young Author Award, jointly awarded by USAID and Room to Read India Trust for her children’s poetry collection, Jirhul.
Room to Read India Trust is an international nonprofit organisation focusing on early-grade literacy, gender equality, and girls’ education. Kerketta explained her decision by stating, “As a poet, I want to show my solidarity with the children, women, and victims of Palestine.” She raised concerns about Room to Read India Trust’s association with Boeing, a company known for its ties to the Israeli Defence Forces through arms supply.
In a letter to both USAID and the Room to Read India Trust, Kerketta expressed her reasons for declining the award, citing the devastating situation in Palestine where thousands of children have lost their lives. This isn’t the first time Kerketta has taken a stand on ethical grounds, having previously rejected an award in support of Adivasi struggles in Manipur.
Kerketta, a member of the Oraon Adivasi community, has authored several books reflecting Indigenous issues and social consciousness. Her works aim to bring awareness to socio-political issues, drawing from Adivasi culture. Despite the recognition she has received, Kerketta remains focused on highlighting and addressing the challenges faced by marginalized communities.
The poet’s actions underscore a broader concern about the global silence surrounding the plight of Palestinians and the need for solidarity. Through her refusal of the award, Kerketta sends a powerful message about the importance of ethics and principles in the face of injustice. The Independent has reached out to USAID, Boeing, and Room to Read India for their responses to Kerketta’s decision.
The article sheds light on the struggles and ethical dilemmas faced by Indigenous communities in various regions and serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up for justice and human rights, even in the world of arts and literature. Kerketta’s bold stance resonates with those who believe in using their platform to advocate for those whose voices are often silenced.