india

Updated: Jan 25, 2015 01:02 IST

While there has been buzz that the Centre may award Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Ramdev, two gurus with wide following among Hindus, with Padma awards, both have expressed their unwillingness to accept it.

While Sri Sri has turned down home minister Rajnath Singh’s request to accept the award, Ramdev has written saying that he as a “sadhu” would not like to be felicitated.

“I have got to hear from TV channels and newspaper reports that the central government wants to award me the Padma Vibhushan. I express gratitude from the bottom of my heart for the government’s goodwill,” Ramdev’s letter says.

“I am a Sanyasi and consider it my duty to follow my sanyas, national and seva (service) dharm without expectations or attachments. With great humility and gratitude, I request that I be done a favour by providing this award to some other deserving person doing praiseworthy work.”