Did not start any campaign demanding Bharat Ratna for Dalai Lama: RSS

It was earlier reported that RSS was starting a campaign demanding Bharat Ratna for his holiness Dalai Lama who is Arunachal Pradesh at the moment

By: News Desk |
April 10, 2017 11:47 am

The Rashtriya Syawamsevak Sangh (RSS) have denied to launching any campaign for awarding Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian honour, to the spiritual leader the Dalai Lama who is currently in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh despite facing strong protests from China.

According to reports, the RSS affirmed that they did not start any campaign for Dalai Lama and that such decisions are taken by the government. “We have not started any official campaign demanding Bharat Ratna for the Dalai Lama. These decisions are taken by government, ” said RSS spokesman Rajiv Tuli told ANI.

It was earlier reported that RSS was starting a campaign and even started taking signatures on the petition seeking Bharat Ratna for Dalai Lama. “We have so far collected some 5,000 signatures. We will submit our plea to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after getting 25,000 signatures,” PTI quoted district RSS leader Lhundup Chosang as saying.

“Besides, the Dalai Lama deserves the Bharat Ratna as he has said that he is a son of India and feels honoured to be the longest serving guest of this great country,” Chosang added. He further reportedly said that the award would send a strong message across the world.

Former chief minister of Himachal Pradesh had Shanta Kumar had also earlier demanded a Bharat Ratna for the Nobel laureates, his holiness. Meanwhile, China hit out at India saying that Dalai Lama’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh was only to upset China and that China should not hesitate in giving “blow by blow” response.

However, Kiren Rijiju affirmed that India did not interfere in the internal matters of China and that China should also do the same. Also, Dalai Lama asserted that China needs a cultural revolution.