‘Ratna’ is losing sheen
Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award given to extraordinary achievers in the country. But since the award is placed so high, it does not mean everyone who receives it is also as significant. This applies to the award too. When the award is conferred on really significant achievers, does it increase its own value on par with the recipients.Nobel Prize, no doubt, is an internationally acclaimed one. But some people who were more renowned than that, rejected it and grew above that. The world didn’t reject leaders like Ambedkar and Gandhiji because they did not get Nobel.
Similarly, the world has conveniently forgotten so many Nobel laureates too! Hence, the value of the prize or award lies in the recipients. Even the best award, when conferred on undeserving people, loses its value. So much so that even the deserving ones may hesitate to accept it. This time around, Bharat Ratna has been conferred on three people. Former President Pranab Mukherjee, RSS senior ideologue late Nanaji Deshmukh, and Assamese Singer late Bhupen Hazarika.
People who thought Siddaganga Swamiji who passed away recently could be considered for the award are very disappointed. There is another reason for disappointment. If the recipients were any better known than Swamiji in terms of service, one could have respected the decision of the centre. But the government set aside Siddaganga Swamiji and conferred the honour on these three. To be the President of India, is not a prerequisite to getting a Bharat Ratna but his works during the time he was in the office should make him a deserving person for the award. Pranab Mukherjee was probably among the worst performing finance ministers of this country.
He always had an inclination towards RSS while he was within the Congress too. He spent most of his time as President visiting Tirupati. He resembles P V Narasimha Rao in his demeanour. That’s why the BJP and RSS like him. More than all these, he was seen participating in the programme organized by the RSS a few months ago. After having enjoyed the fruits of power from one party, one needs immense confidence to get on good terms with another party. Sometimes the tradeoffs are very big. Hence to understand why the RSS recommended him for Bharat Ratna is no puzzle really.
Another person conferred with the award is Nanaji Deshmukh. He was a BJP MP during his life time and a senior RSS ideologue. Government has been claiming that he has served the tribals whereas his achievement is that he took the RSS ideology to the tribals and influenced them with brahminism. BJP has been shedding crocodile tears on the Sikh massacre, alleging this was stage managed by the Congress. But Nanaji Deshmukh had defended this massacre saying this was a normal response to whatever had transpired earlier. Yet, he is Bharat Ratna now.
As for Bhupen Hazarika, there is no doubt that he is a singer with consciousness. He had fought elections on BJP ticket and lost. Hence this honour is being seen with a lot of suspicion. If there was any other party in power, this situation would have been different. When compared to these three, Siddaganga Seer was more deserving of a Bharat Ratna than these three. Sachin having scored a few thousand runs is conferred with the Ratna, but Swamiji’s selfless service in terms of providing for food shelter and education is not being considered. This itself is a mockery of his works by the government. Siddaganga seer didn’t lose much because he was denied Bharat Ratna. If he was conferred with the award, the award itself would have gained a lot of weight. In some ways, it is better that he wasn’t conferred with the award. Else, we’d have been forced to see him on the same line as Sachin Tendulkar and Nanaji Deshmukh.
There was a time when a Bharat Ratna awardee would be seen with great respect by the whole country. Today we don’t feel much about the names now. If Bharat Ratna has to regain its glory, political parties should have no role in selection. The award should not be under the government control. Instead, senior experts and thinkers, achievers should be able to choose the awardees independently. To expect something like this is highly impossible from a government that interferes with the CBI functioning itself. Whatever it may be, today the central government has humiliated a true Lingayat and Sharana, and this is an insult to the entire Karnataka.
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Karnataka's Bill against Hate Speeches conspiracy against Hindutva activists: Pramod Muthalik
Davanagere: Sri Rama Sene national president Pramod Muthalik has accused the state government of using the proposed Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill to target Hindus and to suppress Hindutva organisations and their leaders.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Muthalik said the Sene opposes the Bill. According to him, the government is bringing this legislation only to appease Muslim voters while selectively targeting Hindu voices.
He questioned whether it is wrong to speak against cow slaughter when the ban is already in force but violations still occur in many places. “Is it wrong to raise awareness among Hindus about love jihad? Is it wrong to oppose illegal construction of churches, mosques or encroachments on cremation grounds? Is objecting to religious conversions wrong?” he asked.
Muthalik alleged that the Bill attempts to silence anyone who questions or protests such issues. He said the move goes against the spirit of the Constitution framed by Dr B.R. Ambedkar and is aimed at weakening the Hindu community.
He urged BJP and JD(S) MLAs to strongly oppose the Bill in the upcoming session and ensure it does not get passed. The organisation will submit memorandums to all legislators and mount pressure, he added.
During the press meet, Muthalik tore copies of the Bill in protest. Leaders of Sri Rama Sene including Parashuram Nadavinamani, Yashavanth, Sridhar and Madhu were present.
