Bharat Ratna: Know people who refused to accept the prestigious award in past

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced that BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani will be honoured with the prestigious Bharat Ratna Award, the highest civilian award in India. 

PM Modi called it an emotional moment for him that the Bharat Ratna will be conferred on the stalwart leader as LK Advani is one of the most respected statesmen. The PM also added that Advani’s contribution to India’s development was monumental.

However, there are a couple of personalities who have refused to accept the Bharat Ratna honours in the past, maybe because of their ‘principles’ or due to their ideological dispensation.

Who & Why Refused to Accept Bharat Ratna?

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad: The former Education Minister of India refused to accept the prestigious Award as he thought the serving members of the Union Cabinet were in a position of ‘control and authority’ and should stay away from these ‘temptations’.

H N Kunzru: The founder of the Indian School of International studies, which later morphed into the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and the India International Centre, refused to accept the Award as he thought it would not be proper for him to accept the award as he opposed the idea of the State giving Awards, honours or titles in the Constituency Assembly debates.

Subhas Chandra Bose: The surviving family of revolutionary Subhas Chandra Bose, were contacted to accept the posthumous Bharat Ratna on Bose’s behalf; however, his family declined the honour, citing the length of time it had taken the government to recognise him.

Also Read | LK Advani to be Conferred Bharat Ratna: PM Modi