There are very few instances where the India’s top civilian honor is rejected by a recipient. It is a customary that the recipient is required to confirm acceptance before the announcement.
Surprisingly, 90 year old veteran singer Sandhya Mukherjee, refused to receive the Padma Shri Award. She also suggested that it is more deserving of a junior artiste. She added that she is rejecting the award as it should not be given to someone of her stature.
In addition to this, former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee also turned down the Padma Bhushan.
Ms. Mukherjee’s daughter confirmed the news that her mother told the senior official that she rejects the award as she feels insulted for being offered to her at her age. She was contacted seeking her consent to be named a Padma Shri in the Republic day awards list.
The former Chief Minister’s refusal of the award is purely political. He out rightly criticized the BJP government.
Ms. Sandhya’s refusal has nothing to do with politics. At the age of 90, with a singing career spanning over about eight decades, being chosen for Padma Shri is demeaning for a singer of her stature, Ms. Sengupta said. However, her family and her fans also feel the same.
