MPs from all parties urge Bharat Ratna for Dalai Lama, suggest Parliament address

A group of Indian MPs from different political parties has come together to request the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, for the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader. These MPs are also asking the Central government to allow the Dalai Lama to address a joint session of Parliament.

This request has been made by the All-Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet. The group includes Members of Parliament from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Biju Janata Dal (BJD), and Janata Dal (United), among others. The forum recently met for the second time and unanimously passed a resolution supporting the demand for the Bharat Ratna for the Dalai Lama.

They have also started a signature campaign to support this proposal. So far, the group has gathered the signatures of around 80 MPs and plans to reach 100. Once they do, they will submit the signed memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu.

Rajya Sabha MP Sujeet Kumar, who is a member of the forum, told The Economic Times that many MPs from opposition parties have also supported the move. He said, “We have initiated a campaign to award the Bharat Ratna to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Many MPs have sent us video messages of support. We will also write to the Speakers of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha asking them to organise a joint Parliament session where the Dalai Lama can speak.”

If the Dalai Lama is invited to speak in Parliament, it may upset China, which considers him a separatist leader. The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in India since 1959, after he escaped Tibet during the Chinese takeover. Since then, he has been fighting peacefully for the rights of Tibetan people, becoming a global symbol of non-violence and compassion.

Dalai Lama turns 90 amid love and global support

Meanwhile, the Dalai Lama celebrated his 90th birthday in McLeodganj, Himachal Pradesh, at the Tsuglagkhang Temple, which is his main place of worship in India. Thousands of people from around the world gathered to celebrate the occasion and pay their respects to the spiritual leader.

During the ceremony, many political leaders from India and other countries were present. Indian Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Sikkim minister Sonam Lama, and Hollywood actor Richard Gere, who is a long-time supporter of Tibet, were all there to show their respect and admiration.

The grand celebration happened just days after the Dalai Lama made a big announcement: the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue, and the Gaden Phodrang Trust will be the only body allowed to identify his next reincarnation. This announcement was important because there had been rumours that the Dalai Lama might be the last in the line of spiritual leaders. But now, those rumours have ended.

The Dalai Lama has played a key role in keeping Tibetan identity and Buddhism alive while living in exile in India. He has always spoken in favour of peace, love, and human rights. Even though he has received many international awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize, he has not yet been awarded the Bharat Ratna by India.

Supporters of the Dalai Lama believe that awarding him the Bharat Ratna would not only honour his lifelong work but also show India's strong support for human rights, non-violence, and global peace. It would also send a message that India values the Tibetan community, many of whom live in exile in different parts of the country.

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Why the demand matters now

This demand for Bharat Ratna comes at a time when China has increased its control over Tibet and has tried to interfere in matters like the reincarnation of the next Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama himself has said that only the Tibetan people or their trusted institutions should decide such matters, not foreign governments.

By allowing the Dalai Lama to speak in Parliament or by giving him the Bharat Ratna, India would be recognising his peaceful struggle and sending a message to the world about its stand on freedom and spiritual values. However, it could also lead to diplomatic tensions with China, which has always opposed the Dalai Lama’s international recognition.

But many Indian leaders believe that now is the right time to honour him. The fact that MPs from different parties—ruling and opposition—have come together for this cause shows strong national support. The campaign could also inspire the younger generation to learn about Tibetan culture and the values of peace and kindness that the Dalai Lama promotes.

The call to award the Bharat Ratna to the Dalai Lama has received strong backing from around 80 Members of Parliament, cutting across party lines. As the Tibetan spiritual leader celebrates his 90th birthday surrounded by thousands of followers, this campaign is not just about giving an award—it’s about honouring a lifetime of peace, compassion, and courage. Whether or not the government agrees to the request, one thing is clear: the Dalai Lama continues to inspire millions in India and across the globe.