Arundhati Roy Receives 2024 ‘Disturbing the Peace’ Award for Advocacy and Dissent

Arundhati Roy wins the 2024 'Disturbing the Peace' Award, honoring her fearless advocacy for human rights and justice, alongside Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi.

on Aug 16, 2024

Arundhati Roy Receives 2024 ‘Disturbing the Peace’ Award

Renowned author Arundhati Roy has been recognized as one of the recipients of the prestigious 2024 ‘Disturbing the Peace’ Award, presented by the United States-based non-profit organization, Vaclav Havel Center. The award, shared with Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi, honors individuals who demonstrate extraordinary courage in challenging human rights abuses and advocating for justice.

Arundhati Roy, widely known for her powerful critiques and advocacy for marginalized communities in India, was praised by jury member Salil Tripathi for her relentless efforts to speak up for the voiceless. Tripathi highlighted Roy's work in defending those whose lands are taken for corporate interests, her opposition to India's nuclear policies, her vocal support for Dalits, and her unwavering commitment to self-determination. He noted that Roy’s work often "afflicts the comfortable and comforts the afflicted," a testament to her role as a fearless dissenter in the face of injustice.

The ‘Disturbing the Peace’ Award is named in honor of Vaclav Havel, a celebrated author and political dissident who became the last president of Czechoslovakia and the first president of the Czech Republic. The award, which includes a cash prize of $5,000 (approximately Rs 4.19 lakh), seeks to draw attention to global writers who continue Havel’s legacy by bravely fighting against human rights violations.

This recognition adds to Arundhati Roy's accolades in 2024, as she was also named the winner of the PEN Pinter Prize earlier this year. Established in 2009 by English PEN in memory of Nobel laureate playwright Harold Pinter, the PEN Pinter Prize is awarded to writers who exhibit unwavering political courage in their work. Roy will receive the PEN Pinter Prize on October 10 in a ceremony co-hosted by the British Library, further solidifying her reputation as one of the most influential and courageous voices in contemporary literature.

Through her writing and activism, Arundhati Roy continues to challenge the status quo, advocating for those who are often overlooked and marginalized. The Vaclav Havel Center’s recognition of her work underscores the global impact of her efforts in promoting human rights and social justice.