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Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri has turned down an award from New York City's Noguchi Museum. The museum authorities fired three staff members for wearing keffiyeh scarves in solidarity with the Palestinians. In protest, Jhumpa Lahiri refused their award. The museum authorities said in a statement on Wednesday, "Due to our updated dress code, Jhumpa Lahiri has declined this year's Isamu Nguchi award. We respect his point of view and understand that not everyone's opinion may be in line with our principles
Jhumpa Lahiri won the Pulitzer in 2020 for his book Interpreter of Maldives.
Demonstrations against the Israeli attack on Gaza are taking place around the world and they are wearing black and white keffiyeh scarves on their heads in solidarity with the Palestinians. The scarf is a symbol of Palestinian self-determination. South African anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela is also seen wearing this type of scarf on many occasions. Israeli supporters, however, see it as a sign of support for extremism.
The museum, founded by Japanese-American sculptor Isamu Noguchi, changed its policy last month. It said that workers cannot wear any clothes that contain political messages, slogans or symbols. At this time, three workers were dismissed.