The Bharat Ratna is India’s most prestigious civilian honour. Established in 1954, it recognises exceptional service in various fields. The award has been a subject of debate, particularly regarding its recipients and the political contexts surrounding their awards. Recent controversies have brought into light the absence of Dr B.R. Ambedkar from the list of awardees during Congress-led governments.
What is the Bharat Ratna?
The Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award in India. It is awarded for exceptional service or performance in any field. The Prime Minister recommends recipients to the President. There are no formal recommendations required. The Ministry of Home Affairs plays a key role in forwarding suggestions.
Awarding Process
The Prime Minister has the discretion to consult anyone for recommendations. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs typically collects nominations. The awards are limited to three recipients each year. Awardees receive a certificate signed by the President and a medallion. Importantly, the award does not include any monetary compensation.
Notable Recipients
To date, 53 individuals have received the Bharat Ratna. Prominent recipients include all three Prime Ministers from the Nehru-Gandhi family. Lal Bahadur Shastri and Rajiv Gandhi were awarded posthumously. The list also features notable political figures like S. Radhakrishnan and Indira Gandhi.
Posthumous Awards
The Bharat Ratna is not typically awarded posthumously. However, exceptions have been made for 18 individuals deemed highly deserving. Notable posthumous recipients include Dr B.R. Ambedkar, Morarji Desai, and K. Kamaraj. These awards often reflect changing political dynamics.
Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s Recognition
Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s significance grew over time, particularly after the formation of the Bahujan Samaj Party in 1984. His contributions were increasingly recognised, culminating in the Bharat Ratna awarded in 1990 by the Janata Dal government. This recognition was influenced by shifting political allegiances and the need to appeal to Scheduled Caste voters.
Bharat Ratna Under Different Governments
Various governments have awarded the Bharat Ratna. The Janata Party, United Front, and the current Modi government have all conferred the award on notable figures. Recent recipients include Atal Bihari Vajpayee and M.S. Swaminathan. This reflects the award’s evolving nature in response to political changes.
Other Civilian Awards
In addition to the Bharat Ratna, India also awards Padma Awards. These include Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. The Padma Awards are announced annually and recognise distinguished service in various fields. The Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan were both instituted in 1954.
Usage of Awards
According to Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India, awardees cannot use the Bharat Ratna as a title. However, they may mention their award in their biographies. The Bharat Ratna ranks just below Union Cabinet Ministers in the Table of Precedence.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically examine the impact of the Bharat Ratna on Indian politics and society.
- Discuss the criteria and process for awarding the Bharat Ratna in India.
- What is the significance of posthumous awards? Provide examples from Indian history.
- Explain the role of civilian awards in recognising contributions to Indian society.
Answer Hints:
1. Critically examine the impact of the Bharat Ratna on Indian politics and society.
- The Bharat Ratna serves as a symbol of national recognition, influencing public perception of recipients.
- It can enhance political legitimacy and credibility for parties associated with awarded individuals.
- Controversies surrounding recipients often reflect broader societal debates, particularly on representation and inclusivity.
- It has been used strategically in political campaigns to garner support from specific voter demographics.
- Public discourse around the award marks the evolving values and priorities within Indian society.
2. Discuss the criteria and process for awarding the Bharat Ratna in India.
- The Bharat Ratna is awarded for exceptional service in any field, including arts, literature, science, and public service.
- The Prime Minister makes recommendations to the President, with no formal nomination process required.
- The Ministry of Home Affairs typically collects suggestions and forwards them to the Prime Minister’s Office.
- A maximum of three awards is given each year, denoting the exclusivity of the honor.
- Awardees receive a certificate and medallion, but no monetary compensation is attached to the award.
3. What is the significance of posthumous awards? Provide examples from Indian history.
- Posthumous awards recognize individuals whose contributions were acknowledged only after their death, reflecting changing societal values.
- They serve to honor the legacy of influential figures and can impact historical narratives and public memory.
- Notable posthumous recipients include Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Lal Bahadur Shastri, and K. Kamaraj, illustrating the award’s evolving significance.
- Such awards often highlight the political context and the need to acknowledge marginalized voices in history.
- They can also influence contemporary political dynamics by rekindling interest in the contributions of the deceased.
4. Explain the role of civilian awards in recognising contributions to Indian society.
- Civilian awards like the Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards acknowledge extraordinary contributions across various fields.
- They serve to inspire others by denoting exemplary achievements and encouraging a culture of recognition.
- These awards can elevate public awareness about important social issues and contributions of individuals to society.
- They help in preserving national heritage by honoring historical figures and their legacies.
- Civilian awards also play a role in shaping national identity and pride by celebrating diversity in contributions.
