Joining the group of writers giving up their Sahitya Akademi awards, theatre personality Mayakrishna Rao and writer Anil Joshi have returned their Akademi awards under the spiralling protest by litterateurs against "communal" atmosphere and "rising intolerance" following rationalist M M Kalburgi's killing. "I feel unsafe in my own country. Till now, I never had to fear expressing myself. The state is maintaining silence, said Mayakrishna Rao. Anil Joshi, who was conferred with the award in 1990, said, "The violent environment prevalent is worrying. I feel guilty of not doing anything." At least 16 authors have announced their decision to return their Sahitya Akademi awards.