The Controversy Surrounding Gita Press and the Gandhi Peace Prize: Debating the Criteria for Award Recipients

 The recent controversy surrounding the Gandhi Peace Prize and its recipient, Gita Press, has sparked heated debate among political parties and the public alike. The BJP's spokesperson, Guru Prakash Paswan, and Samajwadi Party's spokesperson, Gansham Tiwari, were joined by Congress leader Kamru Chaudhary and academician and political analyst Professor Gita Bhattan to discuss the issue.

The controversy arose after Jairam Ramesh compared Savarkar and Godse to Gita Press in a tweet, sparking a debate on whether Gita Press deserved to receive the Gandhi Peace Prize for their contribution to humanity. While there were no objections to the part of the citation that recognized Gita Press's contribution, some felt that the religious organization had propagated Hinduism to the exclusion of other religions.

However, Professor Gita Bhattan argued that Gita Press's books were based primarily on Hindu spirituality and philosophy but also promoted inclusivity, harmony, and peace. She pointed out that the organization had been publishing books at a low cost without taking any donations or advertisements, making their work accessible to all.

Bhattan further highlighted a disconnect between the Congress party and the common people, as many in society were happy to know that Gita Press had received the award. She also drew comparisons with Rabindranath Tagore, who was a strong critic of Mahatma Gandhi's non-cooperation movement but still received the Nobel Prize. This raised questions about the criteria used to judge the worthiness of an award recipient.

Congress leader Kamru Chaudhary objected to the award given to Gita Press, arguing that the organization had furthered the agenda of one particular religion, which made them undeserving of the prize. He also cited differences between Mahatma Gandhi and Gita Press, including their views on temple entry and the Pune Pact.

While acknowledging these differences, Gansham Tiwari of the Samajwadi Party questioned whether awarding a prize was the right way to address them. He argued that recognizing Gita Press's contribution to humanity was a positive step, regardless of any differences in ideology.

The debate highlighted the complexities of awarding prizes and recognizing individuals or organizations for their contributions. While some felt that Gita Press's religious affiliation made them ineligible for the Gandhi Peace Prize, others believed that their work promoted peace and harmony, which was in line with the principles of the award.

Ultimately, the decision to award Gita Press the Gandhi Peace Prize reflects the government's view on the organization's contribution to humanity. However, the debate surrounding the award shows that opinions on what constitutes a worthy recipient can vary greatly, highlighting the need for clear criteria and transparent decision-making processes.