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Royal Society of Literature chair Daljit Nagra steps down amid free speech row

The exit comes in the wake of prolonged tensions within the literary body, with accusations that the RSL has compromised its standards for membership and avoided taking a clear stand on issues of free speech.

Daljit Nagra, a renowned Sikh poet, writes about the experience of Indians born in the UK. / Daljit Nagra

The Royal Society of Literature (RSL) has been thrust into turmoil following the announced departures of its Chair, Daljit Nagra, and Director, Molly Rosenberg, amid mounting controversies over freedom of speech and the society’s governance.

Daljit Nagra, a renowned Sikh poet, writes about the experience of Indians born in the UK (especially Indian Sikhs). Nagra was appointed chair of the Royal Society of Literature in November 2020.

Nagra, whose four-year term as Chair concludes this month, will step down following the Annual General Meeting on Jan.15, where he will present the results of the RSL’s first-ever governance review. The review was commissioned under his leadership, marking a significant moment in the 205-year-old institution's history. The AGM will also see elections for Nagra's successor and vacancies on the RSL Council.

The exits come in the wake of prolonged tensions within the literary body, with accusations that the RSL has compromised its standards for membership and avoided taking a clear stand on issues of free speech. The flashpoint of the controversy emerged after calls for the RSL to publicly support Salman Rushdie following the 2022 attempt on his life were reportedly blocked by leadership.

In a 2023 article in The Guardian, RSL President Bernadine Evaristo defended the society’s stance, stating, “The society cannot take sides in writers’ controversies and issues but must remain impartial.”

Rushdie himself criticized this position on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), questioning: “Just wondering if the Royal Society of Literature is ‘impartial’ about attempted murder.”

The dispute has drawn sharp criticism from prominent literary figures, including Margaret Atwood and Kazuo Ishiguro, who have expressed concerns over the RSL’s direction under current leadership.

Despite the internal conflicts, Nagra defended his tenure, emphasizing progress made during his leadership.

“The RSL has made remarkable strides in the past four years with our increased outreach projects, many new prizes, an extensive events programme, and a significantly improved engagement with the public,” he said. “I am proud to have overseen the first-ever governance review in our 204-year history – this achievement will improve governance and increase transparency for the future. I look forward to watching the RSL continue to grow and prosper.”

Molly Rosenberg, who will leave the RSL on March.31, also reflected positively on her tenure. Having joined the RSL as an intern in 2010 and becoming Director in 2017, Rosenberg introduced several transformative initiatives, including the 40 Under 40 programme, RSL Open, and the RSL’s five-year bicentenary festival.

“I am hugely proud of all that I have achieved in my time at the RSL, working for and with brilliant writers across the Fellowship,” Rosenberg stated. “I am especially proud of all that has been achieved through the efforts of Council over the years of my tenure and am grateful for the dedication and imagination of Trustees as well as the incredibly hard-working RSL executive team.”

Rosenberg’s leadership saw the launch of multiple awards, including the Sky Arts RSL Writers Awards, the RSL Christopher Bland Prize, and the Entente Litteraire Prize. Under her direction, the RSL's financial standing also reached its strongest point on record.

Evaristo, while thanking both leaders for their service, said: “I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Molly and Daljit for their immense contribution to the Society over many years. I wish them well with their new ventures.”

As the RSL prepares to reveal the findings of its governance review, the departures raise critical questions about the institution's future direction and its ability to balance literary excellence with a commitment to free speech.


 

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