Tapir Gao, BJP Member of Parliament from Arunachal Pradesh, on Wednesday appealed to the central government to confer the Bharat Ratna on the Dalai Lama in recognition of his lifelong commitment to peace and non-violence.

Speaking during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, Gao said the Dalai Lama is a global symbol of compassion and that India, as the land of non-violence, should honour him with the country’s highest civilian award.

He added that the spiritual leader, who recently turned 90, has made outstanding contributions to Buddhism and humanity worldwide.