Sahitya Akademi
Also called: National Academy of Letters · Topic: Statutory, Regulatory and Quasi-judicial Bodies · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Sahitya Akademi is India's National Academy of Letters. It was set up in 1954 as the central body for literary dialogue, which means bringing writers and readers of different Indian languages together. It also promotes Indian writing. No Act of Parliament created it, so it is not a statutory body (a body set up by a law). It is registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act 1860, the old law that clubs, charities and associations use. The Ministry of Culture funds it and supervises its administration. Its freedom from the government is therefore a convention, an unwritten practice. It is not a legal guarantee, so no court can enforce it.
Example
Jawaharlal Nehru was the Akademi's first President while he was also Prime Minister. He promised that the Prime Minister would not interfere in its work. In 2023 a Rajya Sabha Standing Committee (Report No. 351) found that each National Akademi chooses its head and fixes the head's tenure in its own way. It asked for fixed rules. It also asked for an MP on every Governing Council, which could bring politics closer to the Akademis.
Don't confuse with
- Statutory body (e.g. NHRC, CIC): a statutory body is created by an Act, and that Act sets its make-up and powers. The Sahitya Akademi is a registered society, and no law guarantees its independence.
- Sangeet Natak Akademi / Lalit Kala Akademi: these are its sister akademis. Sangeet Natak covers the performing arts and Lalit Kala covers the fine arts. The Sahitya Akademi covers literature.