TP Senkumar, a former chief of police in Kerala, criticised the decision to award scientist and aerospace engineer Nambi Narayanan the Padma Bhushan. The former police chief is considered close to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and his criticism assumes significance.
Senkumar, as per a Telegraph report, did not know that it was the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar who had recommended the award for the former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientist and not the CPI(M) government.
He said, “I am concerned that if it goes like this, next year Govindachamy (accused of a brutal rape and murder), Ameerul Islam (convicted for rape and murder), and Mariam Rasheeda (accused of spying) might get the Padma Vibhushan itself.”
Senkumar added, “Those who recommended this award (for Narayanan) and those who awarded it are duty-bound to tell us what is the scientific achievement of this great man to ISRO or India.”
Former Kerala DGP, TP Senkumar on Nambi Narayanan being conferred Padma Bhushan: Those who awarded him should explain what his contributions were to the country. SC appointed a committee to find out what happened in ISRO. How can they award him before findings come out? (26-1-19) pic.twitter.com/d9EEGjUrTd
— ANI (@ANI) January 27, 2019
Senkumar’s grudge against Narayanan perhaps stems from the scientist being accused of spying in the ’90s. He, along with six others, was accused of selling secrets about ISRO’s cryogenic programme to women who were allegedly spying for Russia, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence and other countries. All the accused were acquitted by a division bench of the Kerala High Court. The court even awarded him Rs 50 lakh as compensation.
Speaking to the Indian Express, Senkumar also said, “When I was re-investigating the case, I had asked several people in ISRO what his (Narayanan’s) contribution and everyone replied in negative. I had even asked the same question to then ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair. People who sponsored and gave the award should explain what a below-average scientist who took voluntary retirement way back in 1994 has contributed to the nation and ISRO.”
Senkumar, the Telegraph noted as per some BJP leaders, might be fielded in the upcoming general election although he isn’t a party member. This makes his questioning of why Narayanan’s selection for the award curious. State BJP president PS Sreedharan Pillai, speaking to the Telegraph, said: “How can we react to this? The awards are decided by a presidential committee that picks from the state government’s recommendation.”
Responding to Senkumar’s declaration, Narayanan said, “Whatever he is saying is irrelevant, immaterial and doesn’t carry any weight. I am not ready to react to something that is his culture and his language.”
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