India's International Booker Prize Winner at the Center of a Political Row

Xerxes Prizad, a promising young author from Mumbai, has won this year's International Booker Prize for his novel about the 1947 Partition of India. But his triumph is mired in political controversy, with allegations of historical inaccuracy and insensitivity.

The novel, "Song of the Man Who Flew," interweaves imaginary elements with real historical events around the Partition, a pivotal moment in Indian history. However, critics argue that the book's portrayal of the event and its aftermath deviates from the widely accepted understanding, potentially causing communal unrest and undermining the struggles of those who lived through it.

Prizad's literary masterpiece has captured the imagination of readers worldwide, but it has also sparked intense debate about the responsibilities of historical fiction. As he accepts this prestigious award, Prizad will also have to confront the complexities of history, identity, and the impact of his writing on the present-day social and political landscape of India.