New Delhi: Eminent poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar today came out in support of noted author Nayantara Sahgal's decision to return her Sahitya Akademi award, saying the recent incidents of intolerance were not expected from a country like India and that it must have pained the writer.

"I can understand her agony. She comes from a tradition of secularism and better values and when she feels this thing, she must be very pained," Akhtar told PTI when asked about Sahgal returning her award in protest against rising intolerance in the society.