A tweet from rom Congress leader Praveen Chakravarty on India’s 77th Republic Day, has sparked fresh debate over the Padma awards. Chakravarty has claimed that the Modi government has politicised the awards by favoring recipients specifically from states that are heading to polls.
The Congress leader who heads the party’s data analytics department, posted a chart showing that 37% of this year’s Padma awardees hail from Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal – states due for assembly elections in 2026, despite these areas accounting for just 18% of India’s population.
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Along with the chart, Chakravatry wrote, “The ‘electionisation’ of Padma! Modi govt has turned even Padma awards into an election weapon. 37% of this year’s Padma awardees are from election states while their share of population is only 18%. This pattern has repeated consistently. Nevertheless, Happy Republic Day!”
The chart, spanning 2020 to 2026, highlights stark disparities:
The ‘electionisation’ of Padma!
Modi govt has turned even Padma awards into an election weapon
37% of this year’s Padma awardees are from election states
While their share of population is only 18%
This pattern has repeated consistently 👇🏽
Nevertheless, Happy Republic Day ! pic.twitter.com/S0fTA8egLz
— Praveen Chakravarty (@pravchak) January 26, 2026 Social media debate ensues over ‘electionisation’ of Padma awards
Chakravarty’s post quickly drew over 200 likes and dozens of replies, with supporters echoing concerns about bias and critics dismissing it as sour grapes. One user quipped, “Data tiger you are,” while another defended the awards, saying they’ve regained respect under Modi by going to “truly deserving people” unlike past regimes.
One of the X users by the handle @kumudha_sr wrote, “How many common talented people have been awarded during the UPA, UPA2, and Congress governments? As currently awarded by the Modi government. In contrast to your government, which gave Pama awards to ‘Ching Chuk’ journalists, the Modi government gave only truly deserving people.”
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Another wrote, “ opulation need not be a parameter. Most of the IITians end up as CEO even though their population is less. However elections are kept in mind while awarding. But these people would have got anyways may be little later. Don’t belittle their contributions by just generalising.”
The Padma awards, announced annually on Republic Day eve, honor excellence in fields like arts, sports, and medicine. This year, 131 recipients were named, including stars like actor Mammootty and singer Alka Yagnik. Government officials have not yet responded to the allegations, but past defenses have stressed merit-based selection. |
