Political colour of Bharat Ratna

Race for the highest civilian award of the nation is getting mocked with the coming of more and more names in the frame but unfortunately it seems that our political parties have completely lost the essence of this award. Political lobbying and controversies only overrule the award by forgetting that awards conferred the merits and are never sought after.

This time the scream of Bharat Ratna has become louder than ever before with the proposal of name of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee by BJP president LK Advani, the name of Kanshi Ram by BSP’s Mayawati, Jyoti Basu by Congress and this was only a counter attack by congress to BJP though later Basu and the Left Parties rejected the idea.

There are more names in the roll as the Samajwadi Party (SP) purposes Bharat Ratna for Mulayam Singh, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) urges the name of Chawdhury Charan Singh and LJP leader Ramwilas Paswan seeks the award for Mahatma Phule, Babu Jagjivan Ram. The recent name in the list is Biju Patnaik, one of the foremost freedom fighters, industrialist with modern outlook. The name has been purposed by the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Orissa.

Though one can consider some of the names of these politicians but the general question that comes to everyone’s mind is – what are the criteria behind bestowing such a prestigious award? Do these politicians stand up to highest level of national service with a selfless attitude?

If politicians in a democratic country like India are considered as corrupt, self-interested then why cannot they excluded from the list. Some section does justify their inclusion as they were the administrative head of the nation. However, the manner our so-called responsible political parties hording their demands only signify their self achievements.

The Congress party in the centre though tried to getaway putting everything on the purposed committee to decide, the political colour seems to darken in the coming days by just making the award a political auction.

The desired profile or the criterion for this highest civilian award should be ‘non-controversial and selflessness service’ to world or India. This can be from any field as given earlier to dignitaries who hold the name of the nation at high for their deeds and not for their personal gains. Hence it seems justified giving this award to the likes of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Indira Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Amartya Sen, Ustad Bismillah Khan and some others. These people really put India on a special position on the map of world.

In India almost all awards has become a subject of controversies be it the eminent award for sports or civilian awards. Many stalwarts got this award late as Ambedkar, Patel and Subhash Chandra Bose (the award was withdrawn due to legal technicality).

The funny side of the story remains I don't deserve this award, but I have arthritis and I don't deserve that either.
-- Jack Bennytoo

So, the self professing politicians who clearly show the fragments, the fragility of the character will keep the award. The irony that in India even the highest award can be politicised. No party has reached for a consensus that identifies the other party’s member as a deserving candidate for the award. Yes, this time the whole issue has shown that the award is heading towards party specific characterisations.