Karthika VK, publisher at Westland Books, said the prize added immense value to the Indian publishing ecosystem.
“I’m sorry to hear it’s shutting down. We can only hope others will step in to fill the gap with prizes, grants, and residencies to support writers and translators,” she added.
Despite its literary achievements, the prize faced controversy last year when over a hundred writers, poets, and publishers signed an open letter condemning JCB, the British bulldozer manufacturer that sponsors the award, for allegedly “uprooting” the lives of the marginalised in India and Palestine.
Benyamin, however, dismissed the criticism: “It’s not the equipment that should be blamed, but those who misuse it. The same machines are used to build, too. I can’t align with that kind of reasoning especially when the prize itself had such a positive impact. I hope they reconsider and reinstate the award.”
The JCB Prize followed a transparent process, including a call for entries, a 10-book longlist, a 5-book shortlist, and a final winner.
Each shortlisted author received Rs 1 lakh, and translators received Rs 50,000. In the case of a translated work winning the prize, the author was awarded Rs 25 lakh, and the translator Rs 10 lakh.