Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, instituted after Independence, has often come under criticism. For instance, it has been observed that some of the conferments happen when the public figures have achieved global acclaim. Cases in point include Mother Teresa receiving the Bharat Ratna in 1980, a year after her Nobel Peace Prize; Amartya Sen in 1999, a year after his Nobel for Economics; or Satyajit Ray right after his Academy Honorary Award. But His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, was conferred the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, "for advocating peaceful solutions based upon tolerance and mutual respect in order to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of his people." For years now, his followers have wondered if the Dalai Lama, who established the independent Tibetan government in exile in Dharamshala, will also be formally acknowledged with a Bharat Ratna for his exceptional service.
On March 15, a volunteer-based initiative, led by "his followers and students," launched a renewed appeal to confer the next Bharat Ratna on His Holiness the Dalai Lama. "The initiative calls upon all citizens of India who will have the opportunity to exercise their votes in favor of His Holiness the Dalai Lama being conferred the Bharat Ratna. Citizens of India, globally, can vote online and offline, in support of this initiative," read the press statement for #BharatratnaforDalaiLama, an appeal and initiative by the people of India.
"Last year, when we read in the papers about People's Padma awards where the common people can vote and nominate individuals, our core group comprising his friends and students came up with this idea. After all, His Holiness is one of the most deserving persons to get the Bharat Ratna," says Prof. Renuka Singh, who teaches in the School of Social Sciences at Jawaharlal Nehru University. She is one of the chief architects of the campaign, which has been in the works since July.
Last year, netizens had demanded the Bharat Ratna for industrialist and philanthropist Ratan Tata with the hashtag #BharatRatnaForRatanTata. The 83-year-old industrialist, recipient of Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan, requested Twitteratis to refrain from pitching such a campaign. "While I appreciate the sentiments expressed by a section of the social media in terms of an award, I would humbly like to request that such campaigns be discontinued," said Tata in a tweet.
Bharat Ratna for Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose has also been a contentious affair, with his grandnephew Sugata Bose recently stating that the freedom fighter's stature is above such awards.
Singh is aware of the fact that the Dalai Lama too does not care for any such award. Besides, geopolitical compulsions like the China factor may possibly not allow this conferment. "May be it won't happen. It doesn't really matter. The intention is to basically thank His Holiness for what he has brought back to India and what he has given to the world. So, this is an appreciation from the people of India. If he gets it, well and good. If he doesn't, we still want to express our gratitude," says Singh, further adding, "It's not about him getting the honour. I think the award needs to be honoured."
The voting campaign is accessible at https://www.bharatratnafordalailama.in/
