Social activist Sandeep Pandey has made a bold move by announcing his decision to return the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award, which was bestowed upon him in 2002. This decision comes as a mark of protest against the role of the US in the Israeli attack in Gaza. Pandey, who is associated with the Socialist Party (India), has also chosen to return his dual Master of Science degrees earned from US universities. The award, primarily funded 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 which has claimed more than 21,500 lives. Pandey emphasized his disappointment with the US government's position and highlighted its double standards in international affairs, particularly its stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In addition to returning the Magsaysay award, Pandey has decided to return his dual MSc degrees in Manufacturing and Computer Engineering to Syracuse University and his PhD in Mechanical Engineering degree to the University of California at Berkeley.

He stressed that his decision stems from the US’s “double standards in international affairs and urged the US to play a mediating role to help resolve the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Pandey's decision to return the award and his degrees is a strong statement against the US government's position in the ongoing conflict and highlights the need for a fair and just resolution to the Palestinian crisis. It is a reminder of the need for the US to promote human rights and freedom of expression in international affairs, just as it does within its own borders.