People with political clout get Padma Awards, says Baba Ramdev

New Delhi, May 9: Yoga guru Baba Ramdev today said that lobbying for Padma awards is a known fact and those with political clout get it.

He sparked off a controversy after saying that a lot of lobbying takes place for Padma awards and even Nobel prize and those with political influence succeed.

Ramdev said 'politically influential people are successful in getting the awards'.

"The whole world knows that all awards from Padma Bhushan to Padma Shri are given to good people for their achievements but people do lobbying to get this award," said Ramdev.

"All these awards like Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan or Padma Vibhushan and even Nobel prize are given to good people also, but there is intense lobbying and those having more political influence succeed in getting them," the Yoga guru alleged.

Earlier this year, Ramdev had declined any Padma award for him after reportedly being considered by the government for the honour.

Ramdev was tipped to receive Padma award this year but he wrote to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh declining the honour, saying he was a 'sanyasi' (ascetic) and considered it his duty to serve the people and the country.

OneIndia News

(With inputs from agencies)