Why did Mahatma Gandhi not get Bharat Ratna or the Nobel Peace Prize?
Mahatma Gandhi was not awarded either the Bharat Ratna or the Nobel Peace Prize due to several reasons, which are outlined below:
Nobel Peace Prize
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Non-Conformity to Traditional Criteria: Gandhi did not fit into the conventional categories identified by the Nobel Committee, such as being a politician, proponent of international law, humanitarian relief worker, or organizer of international peace congresses. His unique approach to peace and non-violence made it difficult for the committee to evaluate his contributions within their established framework235.
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Pacifism and Conflict Involvement: There were concerns about Gandhi's consistent pacifism, particularly during the India-Pakistan partition in 1947. Some committee members doubted his ability to maintain pacifism in the face of violent conflicts235.
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Historical Context and Narrow Horizon: The Norwegian Nobel Committee's horizon was relatively narrow, primarily awarding Europeans and Americans up until 1960. Gandhi's work, although groundbreaking, was not fully appreciated within this context3.
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Posthumous Award Issues: Gandhi was assassinated just before the closing date for the 1948 Nobel Peace Prize nominations. Although the statutes allowed for posthumous awards under certain circumstances, Gandhi's lack of affiliation with an organization and the absence of a will made it unclear who would receive the prize money. The committee ultimately decided against a posthumous award135.
Bharat Ratna
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Timing of the Award: The Bharat Ratna was instituted in 1954, six years after Gandhi's assassination in 1948. Therefore, he was not eligible for the award during his lifetime14.
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Supreme Court Ruling: When an appeal was filed to award Gandhi the Bharat Ratna posthumously, the Supreme Court of India rejected it. The court remarked that Gandhi's status and deeds were so revered and immortal that any award, including the Bharat Ratna, would be insufficient and potentially diminish his honor1.
In summary, Gandhi's unique approach to peace, the specific criteria and historical context of the Nobel Committee, and the timing and legal considerations surrounding the Bharat Ratna all contributed to him not receiving these prestigious awards.