The announcement of conferring the highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna, to the two ex-Prime Ministers’, P V Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh and to the renowned Indian agricultural scientist Swaminathan took many by surprise. Many welcomed the gesture as much deserved award for the stalwarts, there were other factions who called it an election stunt!
Singh, a Jat leader from western Uttar Pradesh, was one of the pioneers of the anti-Congress politics at a time when the Congress was the hegemonic political force. Rao, a Telugu, is widely recognised for ushering in economic reforms. Renowned Indian agricultural scientist Swaminathan was instrumental in developing high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice, which significantly increased food grain production across India during the 1960s and 1970s. He is credited with helping India achieve self-reliance in agriculture during challenging times and made outstanding efforts towards modernising Indian agriculture.
The Bharat Ratna to the three stalwarts comes after the highest civilian award was conferred to Karpoori Thakur and LK Advani earlier. The Bharat Ratna to Singh has already shown a political implication, the movement of the RLD into the NDA’s fold. The political symbolism of giving the award to Singh, who, formed the first non-Congress government at the Centre, was also not lost. Modi hailed his “commitment to democracy” and his “dedication” to the welfare of the farming community. “It is the good fortune of our government that former Prime Minister of the country Chaudhary Charan Singh is being honoured with Bharat Ratna. This honour is dedicated to his incomparable contribution to the country,” wrote Modi. “He had dedicated his entire life to the rights and welfare of farmers. Be it the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh or the Home Minister of the country and even as an MLA, he always gave impetus to nation building.”
हमारी सरकार का यह सौभाग्य है कि देश के पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री चौधरी चरण सिंह जी को भारत रत्न से सम्मानित किया जा रहा है। यह सम्मान देश के लिए उनके अतुलनीय योगदान को समर्पित है। उन्होंने किसानों के अधिकार और उनके कल्याण के लिए अपना पूरा जीवन समर्पित कर दिया था। उत्तर प्रदेश के… pic.twitter.com/gB5LhaRkIv
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 9, 2024
The political calculations of the BJP in giving out the Bharat Ratna to leaders was the loudest in its conferment to PV Narasimha Rao, who after Sardar Patel, is among the senior Congressmen that the BJP has sought to appropriate. In his post, Modi credited former Prime Minister Rao with “fostering a new era of economic development” in the country. “Narasimha Rao Garu’s tenure as Prime Minister was marked by significant measures that opened India to global markets,” wrote Modi. “Furthermore, his contributions to India’s foreign policy, language and education sectors underscore his multifaceted legacy as a leader who not only steered India through critical transformations but also enriched its cultural and intellectual heritage,” Modi wrote, calling Rao “a distinguished scholar and statesman”.
Delighted to share that our former Prime Minister, Shri PV Narasimha Rao Garu, will be honoured with the Bharat Ratna.
As a distinguished scholar and statesman, Narasimha Rao Garu served India extensively in various capacities. He is equally remembered for the work he did as… pic.twitter.com/lihdk2BzDU
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 9, 2024
Rao’s Bharat Ratna comes amid fast unfolding developments centred on the state that involve the BJP. Lately, while TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu met the BJP leadership to discuss seats and alliance, Andhra Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy called on Modi. It seems that the BJP is looking at an increased vote share in the Southern state.
Known as the ‘Father of the Green Revolution’, Dr. Swaminathan played a major role in the set of changes introduced in farming in the 1960s and ‘70s that helped India achieve food security. Modi highlighted his contributions towards modernising India’s agricultural sector. “He played a pivotal role in helping India achieve self-reliance in agriculture during challenging times and made outstanding efforts towards modernizing Indian agriculture. We also recognise his invaluable work as an innovator and mentor and encouraging learning and research among several students. Dr. Swaminathan’s visionary leadership has not only transformed Indian agriculture but also ensured the nation’s food security and prosperity. He was someone I knew closely and l always valued his insights and inputs,” said Modi.
It is a matter of immense joy that the Government of India is conferring the Bharat Ratna on Dr. MS Swaminathan Ji, in recognition of his monumental contributions to our nation in agriculture and farmers’ welfare. He played a pivotal role in helping India achieve self-reliance in… pic.twitter.com/OyxFxPeQjZ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 9, 2024
Whatever may be the reasons for the surprise announcement, the Congress and the RLD welcomed and appreciated the award being conferred on their respective leaders. As for the critics, it can be called yet another masterstroke from Modi, settling with the farmers and the southern states in one go!
