The Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2020 is being conferred on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The jury for the prize Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and comprising the Chief Justice of India and the leader of the single largest opposition party in Lok Sabha unanimously selected the name of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for the award.
Speaker of the Lok Sabha Om Birla and founder of the social service organisation Sulabh, Bindeshwar Pathak were the other eminent members of the jury.
The Committee selected the name of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in recognition of his outstanding contributions towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violent and other Gandhian methods.
Prime Minister Modi has said that Bangabandhu was a champion of human rights and freedom, and is a hero to Indians as well.
He also said that the legacy and inspiration of Bangabandhu has made the heritage of both countries more comprehensive and
deep-rooted and that the path shown by Bangabandhu has laid a strong foundation for the partnership, progress and prosperity of both countries over the last decade.
As Bangladesh celebrates Mujib Borsho, India is honoured to be commemorating his legacy jointly with the Government of Bangladesh and its people.
The Gandhi Peace Prize recognizes the immense and unparalleled contribution of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in inspiring the liberation of Bangladesh, bringing stability to a nation born out of strife, laying the foundation for the close and fraternal relations between India and Bangladesh, and promoting peace and non-violence in the Indian subcontinent, said the official press release given out on this occasion.
Gandhi Peace Prize is an annual award instituted by the Government of India since 1995, the 125th Birth Anniversary commemoration year of Mahatma Gandhi. The award carries an amount of Rs. 1 crore, a citation, a plaque and an exquisite traditional handicraft/ handloom item.