My Letter to the Modern Language Association (MLA) Refusing the Prize for my book

Dear Annie Reiser,

I am writing to express my deepest gratitude to you and the members of the Aldo and Jeanne Scaglione Prize for South Asian Studies Committee for honoring my book, Ghostly Pasts, Capitalist Presence: A Social History of Fear in Colonial Bengal with this prestigious award. I am genuinely appreciative of the intellectual recognition and the committee’s generosity in selecting my work.

However, after careful consideration, I must respectfully decline the prize.

This decision is not a reflection of the committee’s rigorous work or the value of the prize itself, but a stand taken in light of the institutional silence and policy decisions made by the Modern Language Association regarding the ongoing genocide in Palestine, including the MLA leadership’s appalling suppression of the Delegate Assembly’s right to vote on a proposed resolution to boycott, sanction, and divest from Israel.

As a historian of British imperialism, I cannot close my eyes to the colonial legacies, similarities and solidarities between the Palestinians and my people.  Moreover, as an educator of the next generation I find that I cannot in good conscience accept an award from an institution that, in this moment, has failed to meet its moral obligations to principles of justice for Palestinian lives and academic freedom. If I did, I would not be able to face my students in my classes on Decolonization. 

I also hope that by declining, I can contribute to the urgent conversation about the ethical responsibilities of professional academic organizations when facing colonialism, brutal state violence, and genocide.  My book, which my generous colleagues on the committee have recognized, is about how colonial capitalism does not even spare ghosts. Against such power, I still believe our weapon remains solidarity.

My refusal is rooted in that solidarity with the people of Palestine, suffering and fighting for liberation, and with the scholars, students, and writers who have faced censorship or consequences for speaking out. 

The dead are never dead, may they continue to inspire us to first mourn and then to organize.

Thank you once again for the great honor of the nomination and selection.

 Sincerely,

Tithi Bhattacharya
Purdue University