Akshaya Mukul, a senior journalist from the Times of India, boycotted the Ramnath Goenka Awards ceremony as a mark of protest, against Prime Minister Narendra Modi who gave away awards for excellence in journalism on Wednesday. 

The Caravan reported that Mukul, a veteran who has worked as a reporter for close to 20 years, told the magazine, “I cannot live with the idea of Modi and me in the same frame, smiling at the camera even as he hands over the award to me.”

However, he also added that he had no bone to pick with the award itself, and it was an “honour” for him to have won it.

Mukul was conferred the award in the category of Books (non-fiction) for his book, 'Gita Press and the Making of Hindu India'.

The book traces the ideological roots of Hindutva.

According to reports, Krishan Chopra, chief editor at Harper Collins India, which published the book, received the award on Mukul's behalf. 

Meanwhile, taking to Twitter, the PM said "I congratulate all those who have been awarded today." 

Paying tribute to former media baron Goenka, Modi said in another tweet: "There were few in the media who challenged the Emergency and this was led by Ramnathji and the Indian Express".

"Ramnathji was always committed to his ideals," he noted. 

Speaking on the occasion, he also said that during the freedom struggle, newspapers became a very strong medium of expression. 

The Prime Minister said technology poses a challenge to the media and news that could earlier be disseminated in 24 hours now happens in 24 seconds. 

Ramnath ji was always committed to his ideals: PM @narendramodi #PMatRNGAwards

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 2, 2016

During the freedom struggle, the newspapers became a very strong medium of expression: PM @narendramodi #PMatRNGAwards

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 2, 2016

The colonial rulers were scared of those who wrote and expressed themselves through the papers: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 2, 2016

There were few in the media who challenged the Emergency and this was led by Ramnath Ji and the @IndianExpress: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 2, 2016

Technology poses a challenge to the media. News that could earlier be disseminated in 24 hours now happens in 24 seconds: PM #PMatRNGAwards

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 2, 2016

I congratulate all those who have been awarded today: PM @narendramodi #PMatRNGAwards

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 2, 2016

Inputs IANS