Sachin's Bharat Ratna Under Threat?

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has admitted a PIL which was filed against the Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar for allegedly misusing the coveted Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian honour, which was conferred on him in 2013. In the petition, it was alleged that Sachin was promoting commercial brands in his advertising contracts.

Based on a petition filed by a Bhopal resident VK Naswah, the Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court directed the assistant solicitor general to find out if there are any guidelines prescribed by the Supreme Court on the use of award of promotion of commercial brands by the Bharat Ratna awardees on television and other media.

In his petition, Naswah said that a discomfort regarding Sachin's grave misuse of Bharat Ratna is prevalent in many sections across the nation. The petitioner further said that Sachin to return the Bharat Ratna on moral grounds or the government should take back the award. Currently, Sachin signed contracts with close to 12 brands and has been promoting them as their brand ambassador.