Even though Padma Awards have been known to raise controversies and there have been cases of it being refused by some, this year the controversy revolves around the fact that few of the awardees are known to have been involved in the controversial Ram Mandir- Babri Masjid dispute.
Political analysts feel that the choice of some of the candidates are questionable and the government may not have taken the sensitivities regarding the controversial issue of Ram mandir construction into account.
The Opposition is up in arms stating that many of those who were involved in Babri Masjid demolition and construction and eventual establishment of the Ram Mandir have been awarded with the Padma Award.
Critics are charging that the sanctity of the Padma awards is being affected also that there is an attempt to communalise and politicise the awards. They are clearly questioning why Sadhvi Rithambra who is alleged have given fiery speeches during the Ram Mandir Movement is being honoured.
The critics point out that cases were still pending against some involved in the dispute.
The BJP on the other hand has countered by stating that unlike previous years when the awards used to be given to sycophants of the government or those whom the government liked , this year it has all gone to persons who were really “deserving.”
The awards were instituted since 1954 as one of the highest civilian honours of India announced annually on the eve of Republic Day. The Awards are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher order) and Padma Shri (distinguished service).
The award seeks to recognize achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines where an element of public service is involved. It is the Padma Awards Committee, constituted by the Prime Minister every year which recommends people for award. The nomination process is open to the public. Even self-nomination can be made.
The Opposition is asking the straight question as to why people involved in the Ram Mandir movement were chosen to be given the award. The pat answer of BJP is – the construction of Ram Mandir on which reposed the faith of large number of people in the country is clearly a great social service.
The architect of the Ram Mandir, 81-year-old Chandrakant Sompura has been awarded with Padma Shri. The Padma Awards are given in various disciplines/ fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc.
All those involved in Ram Mandir movement have been given awards under these categories like Sompura for architecture and Sadhvi Rithambra for social work, as she was involved in running an NGO.
The avowed objective of the Award may be to honour persons excelling in their own field and contributing to the society and their country, there is no gainsaying the fact that the ruling dispensations have used these awards to show their largesse.
In this case prominent figures associated with the Ram Mandir being honoured, the opposition is crying foul. The BJP points that it is not biased towards the builders of Ram Mandir as it had also honoured with Padma Vibhushan, Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav in 2023, who had ordered firing on kar sevaks during the Ram Mandir agitation.
Reportedly the first sikh Chief Justice of India Justice Jagdish Singh Kehar who has been given Padma Vibhusan has also a Ram Mandir connect. He is reported to have offered to mediate to bring about an amicable solution to the Ayodhya dispute.
The Opposition is also pointing out that the government should keep the judiciary out of these awards to maintain its impartiality towards any government which is in office.
Late Acharya Kunal Kishor has also been awarded got the award for his contributions to social work. It is reported the he was a former Officer on Special Duty primarily tasked to mediate between the two groups in dispute in the Ayodhya case.
Vedic scholar Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid, who determined mahurat for the consecration of the Ram temple has also been awarded with a Padma Shri. Veteran Hindi Journalist and author Ram Bahadur Rai of Banaras has got a Padma Bhushan. Interestingly he is reported to be an expert on Ram Janam Bhoomi movement.
Senior Advocate C.S. Vaidyanatan a legal luminary was awarded Padma Shri.He has handled several high profile cases including playing a crucial role in the Ram Jaam Bhoomi and Babri Masjid case.