Bharat Ratna for Pranab as he visited RSS HQ: JD(S) leader
JD(S) leader Kunwar Danish Ali said that former President Pranab Mukherjee was awarded Bharat Ratna because "he visited RSS headquarters and described the founder KB Hedgewar, as 'son of soil'". Ali added, "He and PM Narendra Modi have big industrialist friends, perhaps it also played a role." He also protested about Siddaganga seer Shivakumara Swami not being given the award.