GUWAHATI: In a turn of events, world-renowned singer Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s son, Tej Hazarika has said that he has been invited by the Government of India to accept the Bharat Ratna on behalf of his late father and that it will be his “tremendous honour” to receive this award.
In an earlier news statement from February 11, Tej had said that he would not accept the Bharat Ratna on behalf of his father as the award was only being conferred on him now to further a political agenda regarding the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. He had also mentioned that at that time that he had not received any formal invitation from the government.
However, presently Tej said that his words from this previous news statement were ‘misinterpreted.’
In a recent statement, Tej has said that the government of India has “graciously extended an invitation” to him to accept the Bharat Ratna for his late father.
“He sacrificed much and devoted selflessly to the cause of a united and progressive India and now he is being recognized for that with this well-deserved award,” he said.
Tej mentioned that it would be a “tremendous honour for him and his family to be invited by the GOI to accept the Bharat Ratna” on behalf of his late father.
He said that it would be his “dreamlike privilege to receive it for my father and his fans and followers everywhere. As always, I will strive to follow in my father’s footsteps to work to bring light where there is darkness.”
Tej added that it was “unfortunate that (some) people would completely misinterpret my public February 11th statement regarding the Bharat Ratna itself by sadly misrepresenting my view of it.”
He further said that although he has lived abroad most of his life, his Indian roots have been strong all along as he was born in India as were his parents, and their parents. He has a family in India too.
Tej said that through upbringing and “informed reflection,” he has the highest regard for the “Indian Republic, it’s vast diversity and its noble institution of recognizing it’s exceptional individuals from all backgrounds with civilian awards—the highest of them being the Bharat Ratna,” which is being announced for his late father, the late Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.
It should be noted that Tej Hazarika was unwilling to accept the Bharat Ratna on behalf of his late father in protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and now, the Bill has been lapsed in Rajya Sabha and has not been passed.