The Karnataka High Court on Friday rejected a plea, which had sought a direction to the Prime Minister to consider a representation filed by the petitioner to award Bharat Ratna to late Swami Shivakumara of Siddaganga Mutt.
A division bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice S.R. Krishna Kumar rejected the plea filed by one Rehan Khan, resident of Tumakuru.
“We have considered submission and gone through the records. We are of the considered view that it is in the domain of Government of India to consider and confer any award including Bharat Ratna, to any person and no person can claim to be awarded any medal of the like nature. Neither any direction can be sought for considering the award of Bharat Ratna to any particular person.”
The court added that, “the award of Bharat Ratna is a recognition of exceptional services rendered by individual persons which is to be determined by the President of India in consultation with the government of India and the concerned body. We are of the considered view that no direction can be issued to the Prime Minister to consider the representation of the petitioner as it doesn’t confer any right upon him. Petition being misconceived is dismissed.”
The bench told the petitioner to present his demand before the Union Home Minister who was in the city.
“We can direct to consider representation only when you have a right. We have read today in the newspaper that the Union Home Minister is here today in the city and you go immediately make a representation to home, instead of coming to court.”
Shivakumara Swamiji was 111 years old at the time of his demise, the petitioner’s advocate Mohammad Tahir said that Swamiji contributed in the field of education. And the Union government had established the Bharat Ratna in 1954 to recognise exceptional contribution in the fields of arts, science and public service, therefore, Swami ji deserves to be conferred with Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award.