SC declines PIL seeking Bharat Ratna for Mahatma Gandhi; says he is beyond formal recognition

"Mahatma Gandhi is the father of nation and people hold him in high esteem, beyond any formal recognition," the bench said. The issue of directing the government to award Bharat Ratna to the father of the nation was not a "justiciable issue", it said. The bench however said that it agreed with the sentiments of the petitioner for granting official decoration to Mahatma Gandhi.