prominent socialist leaders Prof. Keshav Rao Jadav, P. Janardan Reddy, K. Chandra Sekhar and Ravela Somaiah on Wednesday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider conferring “Bharat Ratna” award on George Fernandez, who was seriously ill since more than one year.
In a statement to the media, they said it should be remembered that George Fernandez carried on a crusade to popularize ideas of Sarvodaya leaders Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan and Dr Ram Manohar Lohia. “The patriotic contribution of George Fernandez to strengthen democracy in India was well known. His historic railwaymen’s strike gave a new direction to the trade union movement in the country. George Fernandez carried on struggle against the infamous Emergency, while Lohia talked about seven revolutions and Jaya Prakash Narayan spoke of total revolution. We feel it is necessary to remember the contribution of Lok Nayak Jaya Praksh Narayan and Dr Lohia to strengthen democracy in the country.
“George Fernandez, a follower of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia and Jaya Prakash Narayan should be conferred Bharat Ratna for his life-long struggle for democracy and equality. It is necessary that we remember great heroes of India so that youth remember what extraordinary sacrifices are made for the country”. (NSS)