The Union Home Ministry’s recent communiqué to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) mint requisitioning five Bharat Ratna medallions has triggered speculation that there might be more than one recipient of the country’s highest civilian award.
It is learnt that a few days ago, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) wrote to the RBI for five Bharat Ratna medallions. While the move led to the speculation that the Centre has plans to bestow the coveted award upon five prominent personalities, including former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, sources said the Rashtrapati Bhavan has not yet received any list of names for approval.
Confirming that the MHA has asked for the medallions, a senior MHA official said: “People are unnecessarily speculating over names. Although we have requested for five medallions, it does not mean that the award would be conferred on five people in the same year.”
The Bharatiya Janata Party leaders remained tight-lipped over the issue, stating a decision in this regard is taken by the government. While in opposition, the party had been demanding the award for Mr. Vajpayee.
The other names doing the rounds are Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Madan Mohan Malviya, Dhyan Chand, Hanuman Prasad Poddar (founder of the Gita Press) and Dalit leader Kanshi Ram.
