The One and Only: Sachin Tendulkar
To date, there is only one sports athlete who has been conferred with the Bharat Ratna: Sachin Tendulkar. The announcement was made on November 16, 2013, just as the cricketing legend was concluding his final international match. He officially received
the award on February 4, 2014, from then-President Pranab Mukherjee. At 40 years old, Tendulkar became not only the first sportsperson to receive the honour but also its youngest-ever recipient. The decision marked a pivotal moment, recognising a career that transcended sport and became a symbol of national pride for over two decades.
Opening the Door: A Crucial Rule Change
For decades, a sportsperson was not eligible for the Bharat Ratna. The original 1954 statutes reserved the award for exceptional service in “arts, literature, science, and public services.” However, following a growing public demand and numerous appeals, the government amended the rules in December 2011. The criteria were expanded to include “any field of human endeavour.” This significant change paved the way for sportspersons to be considered, acknowledging that excellence on the field was a valid and vital form of service to the nation. Sports Minister Ajay Maken at the time called it “one of the biggest days of Indian sport.”
The Great Debate: The Case of Dhyan Chand
The decision to award the Bharat Ratna to Tendulkar was not without controversy. For years, a powerful and persistent campaign had called for the honour to be posthumously awarded to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. A wizard on the hockey field, Dhyan Chand was the architect of India’s three consecutive Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932, and 1936, and is widely considered one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Many felt that as the first sportsperson to be considered, Dhyan Chand was the more appropriate choice, representing a golden era of Indian sporting dominance. The debate even led to legal challenges, with petitioners arguing that Dhyan Chand's legacy had been unfairly overlooked.
A Prestigious Honour, An Ongoing Conversation
Since Tendulkar's award, the conversation around which other athletes deserve the Bharat Ratna has continued. Names like chess grandmaster Viswanathan Anand, India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra, and other titans of Indian sport are often discussed. The honour is unique in that the Prime Minister makes recommendations directly to the President, and no formal recommendations are necessary. This keeps the selection process discretionary and often a subject of public interest. While Tendulkar’s award was challenged in court over allegations he used the award's fame for commercial endorsements, the petition was ultimately dismissed.
