Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Konkani writer Yugank Naik has refused to accept the second prize awarded to him by the Goa Kala Academy in the 50th Konkani Rajya Natya Saptah drama writing competition, alleging that the evaluation process lacked fairness and transparency.
According to the official results of the Drama Writing – Special Competition for New Scripts, the Academy did not declare a first prize this year. The second prize of ₹7,000 was awarded to Naik for his script Desh Raag.
In a detailed letter to the Academy’s President and Secretary, Naik said he was rejecting the award on principle. He questioned the credibility of the judging process, claiming the standards fell short of what the Academy is known for. He also pointed to claims that another winning script had been written in just two days, saying this raised concerns about the seriousness of the evaluation.
Naik stated that such decisions disrespect writers and undermine the importance of a disciplined writing and review system. He said the Academy should have shared translated scripts, judges’ comments and clear reasoning before announcing the final results, which would have ensured transparency and maintained trust in the competition.
He added that writers should not be treated as “soft targets” and stressed the need for institutions to protect the dignity and integrity of Konkani drama.
