No official campaign demanding Bharat Ratna for Dalai Lama: RSS

In November 2016, the BJP MP and former chief minister Shanta Kumar had also demanded Bharat Ratna for the Dalai Lama.

New Delhi, April 10: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on Monday denied that it is running a campaign for Bharat Ratna to Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.

The denial came in the backdrop of a recent report claiming that an RSS leader from Arunachal Pradesh has spearheaded a campaign, demanding India's highest civilian honour for the Dalai Lama.

RSS spokesperson Rajiv Tuli was quoted saying as, "We have not started any official campaign demanding Bharat Ratna for the Dalai Lama. These decisions are taken by government."

Last week, when Dalai Lama was scheduled to visit Tawang in West Kameng district in Arunachal Pradesh, Lhundup Chosang, an RSS leader from the state, made the statement.

Chosang was quoted saying to a news agency, "We have so far collected some 5,000 signatures. We will submit our plea to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after getting 25,000 signatures."

Chosang further said, "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."

In November 2016, the BJP MP and former chief minister Shanta Kumar had also demanded Bharat Ratna for the Dalai Lama.

Dalai Lama received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.

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