Hyderabad, Jan. 26 -- A right-wing religious leader, Sadhvi Rithambara well known for controversial speeches against religious minorities has been awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan in the category of social work on Sunday, January 26.

She was awarded by the President of India on the occasion of the 76th Republic Day celebrations. She is among the 19 Padma Bhushan winners this year.

Who is Sadhvi Rithambara?

Rithambara is the founder-chairperson of Durga Vahini, the women's wing of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP).

In the late 1980s, she came into the limelight after her extensive campaigning in the Jan Jagran Abhiyangan where she advocated for the demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992.

Rithambara was present during the Babri Masjid d...