More than a dozen Hungarians auctioned off their state awards on Monday, saying they no longer wanted them after Zsolt Bayer, a journalist and writer known for his anti-Semitic and racist references, was granted a similar distinction last month.

The daughter of late, Hungarian-born US Congressman Tom Lantos is returning a distinguished state award to Hungary to protest the bestowing of the same award to journalist and writer Zsolt Bayer who has made anti-Semitic and racist references in his articles.

Controversy has erupted in Hungary over the government’s decision to give the prestigious Knight's Cross award to Zsolt Bayer, a journalist known for making anti-Semitic and racist comments, resulting in numerous people returning their own awards in protest.