SC petition: Mahatma Gandhi is held in high esteem which is far more respectful than any award

New Delhi , Jan 17 (HS): A petition filed in the Supreme Court appealed that Mahatma Gandhi should be awarded the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honor of the country.

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to issue any directive to the Centre on a PIL seeking to confer the Bharat Ratna on Mahatma Gandhi.During the hearing on Friday, Chief Justice S. a. Bobde said the petitioner that Mahatma Gandhi is the father of the nation and the people hold him in high esteem, which is far beyond any formal recognition.

A bench headed by Justice Bobde informed the petitioner that the court accepts and shares his views on the matter, and asked him to make a representation to the government on this.

Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian honor of the country, which is given to any person for the best contribution in the country. Significantly, Bharat Ratna is being awarded since 1954 and so far 48 citizens have been honored with this honor. The Government of India has awarded Bharat Ratna to three celebrities only last year. Among them, Bharat Ratna was given to former President Pranab Mukherjee, lyricist Bhupen Hazarika, and social worker Nanaji Deshmukh.