Jhumpa Lahiri Declines Noguchi Award Over New York Museum's Dismissal of Keffiyeh Wearers

New Delhi: Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri has withdrawn her acceptance of the 2024 Isamu Noguchi Award in protest of the Noguchi Museum’s recent dismissal of three employees for wearing keffiyeh headscarves, a symbol of Palestinian solidarity, following an updated dress code policy. 

The museum confirmed her decision in a statement on Wednesday, saying, "Jhumpa Lahiri has chosen to withdraw her acceptance of the 2024 Isamu Noguchi Award in response to our updated dress code policy." The statement also noted, "We respect her perspective and understand that this policy may or may not align with everyone's views."

Lahiri, who won the Pulitzer Prize in 2000 for her book Interpreter of Maladies, made her decision public as the museum faces criticism for enforcing a new policy that prohibits employees from wearing clothing or accessories that express "political messages, slogans, or symbols." The New York Times first reported the news of Lahiri's withdrawal.

The keffiyeh, traditionally a black-and-white scarf, has long been associated with Palestinian self-determination and is worn globally by protesters calling for an end to Israel's war in Gaza. It has also been worn by prominent figures such as Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid leader from South Africa. However, some supporters of Israel view the keffiyeh as a symbol of extremism.

The dismissal of the three Noguchi Museum employees comes amidst broader global tensions, with the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict causing widespread displacement and casualties in Gaza following a deadly attack by Palestinian Hamas militants on Israel on October 7. Last month, the museum's updated policy led to the firing of the three staff members who wore keffiyeh scarves in violation of the new dress code.

The firings are part of a broader pattern of employment actions linked to stances on the Israel-Gaza war. In May, a Palestinian-American nurse in New York City lost her job after calling Israel's actions in Gaza a "genocide" during an award acceptance speech. Israel has denied genocide charges that have been brought against it, including those made by South Africa at the World Court.