ONV award to #MeToo accused Vairamuthu to be reconsidered after massive row

Following a massive row, the jury of the ONV Literary Prize has said that it will reconsider the decision to give the award to Vairamuthu, who was accused of sexual harassment by multiple women in 2018.

Hyderabad: The jury of ONV Literary Prize came under fire for giving this year's award to Tamil poet-lyricist Vairamuthu, who was accused of sexual harassment by multiple women in 2018 at the height of India's #MeToo. Following the massive criticism, the jury has said that the decision will be reevaluated.

The award constituted in the memory of late legendary poet ONV Kurup, is given to poets from Malayalam and other Indian languages by the ONV Cultural Academy and comprises a cash prize of Rs 3,00,000 and a citation. When Vairamuthu was felicitated with the award on Wednesday, the announcement fetched huge opposition from strong voices from the Malayalam industry.

On Friday, ONV Cultural Academy chairman and renowned Malayalam movie director Adoor Goaplakrishan said that they will reconsider the decision. "At the instance of the selection committee, the award is now under reconsideration," the statement said.

Welcoming ONV Cultural Academy's decision, actor-director Geetu Mohandas posted, "ONV Cultural Academy says award to Vairamuthu will be re-examined!!!!!!! To all the 17 women who showed courage and strength to speak up ..... We are with you ♥️"

The winner of the award was selected by the jury, which included Malayalam University vice chancellor Anil Vallathol and poets Alankode Leelakrishnan and Prabha Varma.

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Soon after the award was announced, popular South actor Parvathy had criticised the jury of ONV Literary Prize for giving this year's award to Vairamuthu. The actor took to Instagram on Thursday and slammed the jury for disrespecting Kurup by selecting an "accused of sexual assault" as the winner.

Singer Chinmayi Sripaada, who was among the women who accused Vairamuthu of sexual harassment, thanked Parvathy for raising her voice. "Thanks a ton to the women who are speaking in support. #parvathythiruvothu" she wrote.

Vairamuthu, however, has denied the allegations levelled against him, calling them "totally false" and "motivated".