Dhaka, March 6 -- Eminent writer and intellectual Badruddin Umar has declined to accept the Independence Award after being nominated for the country's highest civilian honour this year.

He made this statement in a message sent to the media, according to BBC Bangla.

In the statement, he mentioned "Since 1973, I have been awarded from many government and non-government organisations, and I accepted none of those. Now, the interim government announced to give me the Independence Award. I thank them for this, but it is not possible for me to receive this award too. I am informing it through this press statement," he said.

The Independence Award is the highest state award of the country. This award has been given since 1977 on the occasion ...