The announcement of the Padma Shri award to poet and avadhani Nagaphani Sharma has stirred up a storm on social media, revealing deep divisions.
Criticism is mounting, with many questioning the selection process and the motivations behind the decision.
A common concern expressed online is whether the Padma Awards this year were influenced by political dynamics or personal favoritism rather than merit.
Speculations abound about who recommended Nagaphani Sharma's name, with some attributing it to the Chandrababu Naidu government.
Meanwhile, Revanth Reddy has openly criticized the central government for ignoring names like Gaddar and Goreti Venkanna, whom he claims his party proposed.
Nagaphani Sharma’s illustrious career as an author of thousands of poems and his unmatched skills in avadhanam are acknowledged, but his past controversies have resurfaced in discussions.
Social media users are pointing to a reported case in the U.S.A, where he was accused of inappropriate behavior toward a lady host who had welcomed him.
While the details and resolution of that case remain unclear, the incident tarnished his image and led to his retreat from public life for years.
Some netizens note his diminished presence in the cultural and spiritual spheres and the allegations surrounding the allocation of land to his Saraswati Peetha in Chandrababu's regime.
The dissonance between his past controversies and his newfound recognition has fueled criticism of Modi’s administration, which is ultimately seen as responsible for the awards.
For many years, Modi's government was praised for awarding the Padma honors to deserving individuals and genuine social workers. However, this is the first time the government is facing criticism over its selections.
With Chandrababu Naidu reportedly wielding influence in the selection process, candidates like Nagaphani Sharma and Balakrishna, despite their past controversies, have also secured the prestigious Padma awards, note netizens.
