The decision was criticised for awarding Ramachandran before independence activist B. R. Ambedkar and Vallabhbhai Patel, who were bestowed the honour in 1990 and 1991 respectively.
Keputusan tersebut dikritik karena menganugerahkan Ramachandran sebelum aktivis B. R. Ambedkar dan Vallabhbhai Patel, yang masing-masing baru dianugerahi pada 1990 dan 1991.