The Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) on Wednesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting the Union government to confer the Bharat Ratna on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The request comes at a time when Kumar and the Election Commission of India (ECI) are at the centre of a wider political debate over the functioning of the poll panel and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The ECI's official website currently lists Gyanesh Kumar as the Chief Election Commissioner.Key HighlightsNCPI has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking Bharat Ratna for Gyanesh Kumar.Gyanesh Kumar is the current Chief Election Commissioner.The request comes amid a wider debate around the Election Commission and SIR.The demand is a request from NCPI and does not mean that the award has been approved.NCPI Makes Request to PM ModiThe NCPI made the request in a letter sent to Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday.The party has asked the Centre to consider Gyanesh Kumar for India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna.The Bharat Ratna is given for exceptional service or performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavour. The award is decided by the President of India based on recommendations from the Prime Minister.The NCPI's letter is a request. There has been no announcement in the supplied report that the government has accepted the demand.Gyanesh Kumar is Chief Election CommissionerGyanesh Kumar is currently heading the Election Commission of India. The official ECI directory lists him as Chief Election Commissioner along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.Kumar took charge as CEC in February 2025 after the end of Rajiv Kumar's term. He is a 1988-batch Indian Administrative Service officer from the Kerala cadre. Before joining the Election Commission, he served as Secretary in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.Demand Comes Amid Political DebateThe Bharat Ratna request comes during a period of strong political discussion around the Election Commission.Opposition parties have raised questions about the functioning of the poll panel and its work related to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.The INDIA bloc held a meeting in New Delhi on September 30 to discuss its response to the issue. The grouping announced plans for district-level “Save Democracy” marches from October 2 to October 8. Opposition MPs are also scheduled to march to the Election Commission on October 6.The Supreme Court is also considering a case challenging aspects of the powers and functioning of the Chief Election Commissioner. The case involves questions about decision-making within the Election Commission and issues connected with electoral rolls.Other Bharat Ratna DemandThe demand for an award for Gyanesh Kumar has also appeared in other public statements and demonstrations in recent days.On September 27, some organisations held a demonstration in New Delhi and submitted a memorandum seeking Bharat Ratna for the CEC.Separately, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah made a public remark about giving Kumar the Bharat Ratna while discussing the ongoing controversy around the Election Commission.These are separate statements or demands and should not be treated as a government decision.What Happens Next?The NCPI's letter now places its request before the Prime Minister's Office and the Union government.There is no announcement in the supplied report confirming that the government has begun a process to award Bharat Ratna to Gyanesh Kumar.The development comes as the Election Commission faces increased public and political attention over electoral-roll revision and its internal decision-making.For now, the NCPI demand remains a request for consideration. Any decision on the Bharat Ratna would require the formal government and presidential process.Also Read : INDIA Bloc Sets September 30 Meet to Target CEC Gyanesh Kumar Over SIR Row
