Poll politics: Congress leader Kharge charged for remark on Bharat Ratna to Hazarika over Shivakumara
Guwahati, Jan 28 (IBNS): With general elections approaching, political attacks continue and even the conferment of Bharat Ratna is an ammunition for politicians.
RTI activist Raju Mahanta on Sunday filed an FIR against Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge for allegedly disrespecting late singer Bhupen Hazarika over being chosen for the Bharat Ratna award this year.
The government announced the Bharat Ratna award winners last week.
Kharge reportedly criticised the government for selecting a 'singer' for the highest civilian nation instead of conferring it to late spiritual leader Dr Shivakumara Swami of Karnataka.
In what seemed to be a politically charged statement before the Lok Sabha polls to earn Lingayat voters' attentions, Kharge was quoted as saying by ANI: "I welcome the decision to give Bharat Ratna to Pranab Mukherjee, but Shivakumara Swami Ji worked a lot in the education sector and spent his life working for the orphan and their education. He should be honoured with the Bharat Ratna award. We had expected this."
BJP's north-east strategist Himanta Biswa Sarma also attacked Kharge over his comments and tweeted without naming him: "For @BJP4India Vikas is the only Dharma, while @INCIndia indulges in petty politics and insulting Assamese pride such as its leaders calling our icon Dr Bhupen Hazarika as an 'ordinary musician', I said to a jubilant crowd who had gathered at Nalbari.#RisingAssam."
For @BJP4India Vikas is the only Dharma, while @INCIndia indulges in petty politics and insulting Assamese pride such as its leaders calling our icon Dr Bhupen Hazarika as an 'ordinary musician', I said to a jubilant crowd who had gathered at Nalbari.#RisingAssam pic.twitter.com/kqt6xcgjRL
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 27, 2019
Shivakumara Swami passed away on Jan 21 at the age of 111.
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