Bengaluru, January 26: Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday termed the Central government's decision to not confer the Bharat Ratna on iconic Lingayat seer Sri Shivakumara Swami as "disappointing". Sri Shivakumara Swami, who was known as the "walking God" in Karnataka, died on January 21, 2019 at the age of 111. He was known for his remarkable contributions in the field of education and healthcare in the state of Karnataka. Shivakumara Swami’s Death: PM Modi Meets Movie Stars But Skips Lingayat Seer’s Funeral, Says Karnataka Deputy CM Parameshwara.

While welcoming the Bharat Ratna conferred on Pranab Mukherjee, Kharge was of the opinion that "Shivakumara Swamiji worked a lot in the education sector and spent his life working for orphan children and sent them to schools. He should be awarded Bharat Ratna. Even then the BJP govt didn't give him the award." Bharat Ratna For Pranab Mukherjee, Nanaji Deshmukh & Bhupen Hazarika; PM Narendra Modi, Union Ministers Congratulate and Remember Recipients of India’s Highest Civilian Award.

He expressed his disappointment and said that the Congress party had "expected this." Pranab Mukherjee, Former President, Awarded Bharat Ratna; Know Journey of The Leader Who Became a Statesman.

However, Kharge also added that "a singer and a man who propagates their RSS ideology have also been awarded," in a direct reference to Dr Bhupen Hazarika and Nanaji Deshmukh awarded with the Bharat Ratna. Bhupen Hazarika Honoured With Bharat Ratna Posthumously: All About The Singer, Songwriter, Folk Artist, Cultural Icon and ‘Voice of NorthEast’.

Kharge claimed that, "If you compare all of them, then Shivakumara Swamiji should have been given the award." This is not the first time that there has been a demand that Sri Shivakumara Swamiji be conferred with the Bharat Ratna. People from the state of Karnataka and political leaders have made this demand in the past as well. “His holiness Dr Sree Sree Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu lived for the people, especially the poor and vulnerable. He devoted himself towards alleviating ills like poverty, hunger and social injustice. Prayers and solidarity with his countless devotees spread all across the world,” the PM had tweeted after the death of the legendary seer.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 26, 2019 08:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).