While Nanaji Deshmukh is a former RSS functionary, the decision to confer the highest civilian awards to noted singer from Assam - Late Bhupen Hazarika and former President Pranab Mukherjee, a Congress old war horse, will be seen as decisions aimed at the coming polls vis-a-vis the states of Assam and West Bengal.
In 1940s many youngsters in Maharashtra including the likes of Nanaji Deshkukh inspired by RSS stalwart Keshav Baliram Hedgewar had joined the Sanghparivar fountainhead.
Originally called Chandikadas Amritrao Deshmukh was also deputed to Uttar Pradesh to function as a Pracharak. It may be mentioned here that during 2002 Gujarat riots, Late Deshmukh had visited the western state and had disapproved the violence in the state.
"Gujarat has been caught in a heart rendering genocide orchestrated as a reaction to the ghastly carnage staged at Godhra. Do we want to divide our country once again on a Hindu-Muslim basis?," Nanaji had said on April 9, 2002 during his visit to Ahmedabad, according to a book 'Godhra - Journey of a Prime Minister'.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed former President Pranab Mukherjee as an 'outstanding statesman of our times' and also described music maestro Bhupen Hazarika as a symbol of 'justice, harmony and brotherhood'.
In 1940s many youngsters in Maharashtra including the likes of Nanaji Deshkukh inspired by RSS stalwart Keshav Baliram Hedgewar had joined the Sanghparivar fountainhead.
Originally called Chandikadas Amritrao Deshmukh was also deputed to Uttar Pradesh to function as a Pracharak. It may be mentioned here that during 2002 Gujarat riots, Late Deshmukh had visited the western state and had disapproved the violence in the state.
"Gujarat has been caught in a heart rendering genocide orchestrated as a reaction to the ghastly carnage staged at Godhra. Do we want to divide our country once again on a Hindu-Muslim basis?," Nanaji had said on April 9, 2002 during his visit to Ahmedabad, according to a book 'Godhra - Journey of a Prime Minister'.
In what is seen as a well thought of move - coming months before the general elections - the Narendra Modi government on Friday decided to confer country's highest civilian award Bharat Ratna to music maestro Bhupen Hazarika, noted social activist Nanaji Deshmukh and former President Pranab Mukherjee.
Hazarika and Nanaji Deshmukh would be given the prestigious award posthumously, a Rashtrapati Bhavan communique said here.
The move clearly has Sanghparivar imprint and reflection of 'political wisdom' on the part of BJP-led NDA regime with BJP insiders saying the opposition will find little scope to attack the government on its decision to select this year's Bharat Ratna awards.
In general, the decision on Bharat Ratna awardees are taken by the incumbent Prime Minister, who communicates it to the President informally and the announcement is made by the President.
The established norm is that the Prime Minster can recommend only three names for a year.
The recipients receive a certificate signed by the President and the 'peepal leaf' shaped medallion and there is no monetary grant associated with the award.
In terms of decisions for conferring the award to Pranab Mukherjee, the BJP admirers are linking to 'political wisdom' of Prime Minister and also to give a message that he has tried to remain apolitical in his decision to select this year's award winners.
"All throughout his life, Pranab Mukherjee has been a Congressman opposed to BJP and RSS politics. But by this decision, Mr Modi has shown that some decisions ought to be taken rising above party politics. Congress regimes in 60 years never entertained the idea of conferring such awards to non Congress leaders. But Modi government is different," Virendra Sachdeva of BJP's Good Governance cell told UNI.
He further said: "Look at the irony Congress did not make Pranab babu the Prime Minister, but today justice has been done to Bengal's one of the tallest leaders of our time".
The decision to confer the award on a die-hard Congress leader comes at a time when the opposition parties have tried to corner the Modi government on the charge of pursuing vindictive politics.
BJP circle is happy at the announcement of Bharat Ratna for Nanaji Deshmukh as the move is aimed at winner over Sanghparivar hardliners and also to appeal to the regional sentiment of Maharahstra.
The western Indian state has 48 Lok Sabha seats - second only to Uttar Pradesh.
The decision to award legendary playback singer and musician Bhupen Hazarika from Assam comes at a time when the saffron party is faced with a difficult situation on ground in the northeastern region especially in the context of the government's decision to push with The Citizenship Amendment Bill.
However, it remains to be seen how much difference the decision to award Bhupen Hazarika can make electorally. In 2004, Hazarika himself contesting on BJP ticket had lost the seat to Congress nominee Kirip Chaliha.
Late Hazarika had polled 33.13 per cent of votes as against 40.06 per cent of votes by Congress candidate.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed former President Pranab Mukherjee as an 'outstanding statesman of our times' and also described music maestro Bhupen Hazarika as a symbol of 'justice, harmony and brotherhood'.
In a series of tweets, Prime Minister wrote that Late Nanaji Deshmukh is a 'Bharat Ratna' in the truest sense.
No comments:
Post a Comment