Jhumpa Lahiri Rejects Noguchi Museum Award Over Dress Code Ban

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri has declined the 2024 Isamu Noguchi Award to protest the Noguchi Museum’s ban on political dress for staff. This decision was made after three employees were fired for wearing kaffiyehs in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The museum cites the policy aims to avoid alienating diverse visitors.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri has declined the 2024 Isamu Noguchi Award as a stance against the Noguchi Museum's dress code policy. The policy, prohibiting political dress among staff, led to the recent dismissal of three employees who wore kaffiyehs in support of Palestinians in Gaza.

'Jhumpa Lahiri has chosen to withdraw her acceptance of the 2024 Isamu Noguchi Award in response to our updated dress code policy,' the museum said in a statement. The museum, which does not impose this dress code on visitors, implemented it to avoid unintentionally alienating segments of its diverse audience.

Controversy around expressions of solidarity, particularly in the context of the Israel-Gaza conflict, has divided cultural institutions. Lahiri, who signed a solidarity letter against Israel's military actions in Gaza, was slated to receive the award alongside Korean-born artist Lee Ufan.

(With inputs from agencies.)