There are calls for India to confer the country’s highest civilian honour on His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Bharat Ratna, which translates as “India’s Gem”. The movement has been gaining momentum since Shanta Kumar of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister first suggested it at an event in the main temple in Dharamshala, Tsuglakhang, last November.
The Economic Times of India published an article last month, saying “the move will send the right message to the international stage” and mentioning the “ongoing online campaign”.
The Rashtriya Syawamsevak Sangh party (RSS) in Arunachal Pradesh denied that they had launched a signature petition campaign to coincide with His Holiness’s visit there last month. However, their leader Lhundup Chosang was widely reported as saying His Holiness“deserved” the award and it would send a message to the world.
Meanwhile the campaign is gaining momentum and is attracting press coverage.
The Bharat Ratna award is conferred “in recognition of exceptional service/performance of the highest order”, and recommended by the Prime Minster to the President of India. Two non Indians who have received the award in the past are Pakistan national Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and former South African President Nelson Mandela.
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