Lucknow: Expressing displeasure for neglecting some people for the coveted ‘Bharat Ratna’ award, Patanjali founder Baba Ramdev, on Sunday, January 27, said that it is unfortunate that Hindu seers have been overlooked by the selection committee of the award over the years.

“Is contribution of Dayananda or Swami Vivekananda less than any politician or artist? Not a single hermit or saint has been awarded Bharat Ratna. Mother Teresa was given the award since she is Christian but not to Hindu saints. Is it a sin to be born a Hindu in this country?” Ramdev asked.

Former President Pranab Mukherjee, social activist and RSS ideologue Nanaji Deshmukh (posthumously) and Assamese singer Dr Bhupen Hazarika (posthumously) were honored with the Bharat Ratna, on January 25.

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge questioned the award being conferred on Assamese singer Bhupen Hazarika and neglecting Lingayat Mutt seer Shivakumara Swami, who died on January 11.

“The government knows about his work. Even then the BJP government did not give him the award. This is sad. A singer and a man who propagated RSS ideology have also been awarded. If you compare all of them, then Shivakumara Swami Ji should have been given the award, Kharge said.”