Prayagraj, Jan 27 (IBNS): Yoga teacher Baba Ramdev on Sunday pointed out that no "sanyasi" had received the Bharat Ratna, media reports said.
"I can't say that. I'm simply pointing out the fact," said the saffon-clad Ramdev here when asked if he held a grudge because of this fact. From holding yoga shows on TV, Ramdev has come to own and run the multi-million-dollar Patanjali brand.
Speaking at the Kumbh Mela here on Sunday, Ramdev asserted he respected all the Bharat Ratna awardees but said: "Till now why any sanyasi has not got Bharat Ratna? The contributions of Maharishi Dayananda or Swami Vivekananda towards the nation were no less than any political leader or sports person."
"They have given Mother Teresa this award as she was a Christian, but they will not give to other seers as they are Hindus. It is a crime to be a Hindu in this nation?" Ramdev questioned but added he was not pushing for discrimination on the basis of religion.
"All these saints who have contributed so much, must also be conferred with the Bharat Ratna," he added.
Former president Pranab Mukherjee, late singer Bhupen Hazarika, and late social activist Nanaji Deshmukh have been given the country's highest civilian honour this year.
Image: Ramdev on Facebook
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