Baba-ram-dev-padma-awardThe Union Home Ministry had finally responded on the media reports that Yoga guru, Baba Ramdev was shortlisted for Padma Awards but he declined to accept the honour. Union Home Ministry confirmed that Home Minister Rajnath Singh had personally called up 7-8 personalities last week to inform them that they would be receiving the Padma Vibhushan Awards but Ramdev is not one of those.

However this is the case with humanitarian and spiritual leader, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. When offered the Padma Award, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar declined it, saying someone else should be given the honour. The media was abuzz that Ramadev Baba was offered the prestigious award as he supported BJP in the last elections.

An aide of Ramdev on the condition of anonymity also confirmed that the Home Ministry never officially communicated anything to Ramdev regarding the award. The Awards have drawn enough controversies this year. We can only hope the next year will be any different!