In early 2021, Ratan Tata intervened to stop a social media campaign demanding the country’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, for him. However, after his passing, the demand was raised again by the commoners and supported by the powers that be.

On Thursday, the Maharashtra Cabinet passed a resolution urging the Union Government to posthumously bestow the Bharat Ratna upon one of India’s greatest industrialists and philanthropists. In 2008, Tata was chosen for the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian honour.