US role in Gaza: Pandey returns Magsaysay

New Delhi: Social activist Sandeep Pandey has announced his decision to return the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award, bestowed upon him in 2002, as a mark of protest against the "role" of the US in the Israeli attack in Gaza.

Pandey, associated with the Socialist Party (India), has also chosen to return his dual Master of Science degrees earned from US universities.

The Magsaysay award, funded primarily by the Rockefeller Foundation, raised concerns for Pandey due to its association with American foundations.

In a statement shared with PTI, he expressed his discomfort with the US's support for Israel in the ongoing offensive against Palestinian citizens.

"Given the role of US in blatantly supporting Israel in the current offensive against Palestinian citizens, more than 21,500 of whom are dead, and still continuing to sell arms to Israel, it has become unbearable for me to keep the award. I, therefore, am deciding to finally return the award too," Pandey said in a statement. (PTI)