NEW DELHI: The BJP has protested against the Government’s decision to award the Padma Bhushan to non-resident Indian hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal. In a letter to President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Gopinath Munde, the deputy leader of the BJP in the Lok Sabha, said Chatwal’s controversial financial dealings should have made him ineligible for the honour.
He asked the Government to cancel the award conferred on Chatwal.
Demanding an inquiry into the issue, BJP president Nitin Gadkari wondered how one of the highest civilian awards was conferred on US-based Indian hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal.
``Such awards should not be given to persons who will undermine the very sanctity of the award,’’ he said.
Chatwal was arrested a few years ago in Mumbai in connection with a CBI case which accused him of a $ 9-million scam related to the SBI. The case against him was later closed.
Chatwal, who runs a chain of restaurants and hotels, is a friend of former US President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He has been accused of defaulting on massive payments to Indian and foreign banks.
In his letter, Munde said "this (awarding Chatwal) degrades the award and casts a wrong impression on people all over the world and brings a bad name to our nation,’’ The Congress defended the award saying the Padma awards are decided by the Home Ministry after the due process. Congress spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed said the party wants the awards to be given to people who increase its prestige and not to those with a 'taint.’
CHATWAL UNFAZED : Chatwal on Tuesday remained unfazed over the BJP demand, IANS adds from Washington.
Chatwal said he was thrilled and grateful to the Indian Government that after such a long time they have really recognised his services towards strengthening Indo-US ties.
“I have really no idea about BJP’s objection. I love my country and have been working for the past 30 years. I don’t care for the parties. They will come and go,” said Chatwal.