Which of the following eminent journalists is widely known for declining or later returning the Padma Bhushan award in protest?

Introduction / Context:
Civilian awards such as the Padma series in India are sometimes accepted and sometimes declined or even returned by public figures for various reasons, including protest. Questions in general knowledge often focus on notable examples where a prominent person refused or later returned such an honour. This item asks about a well known journalist who is associated with declining or returning the Padma Bhushan award.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The award is the Padma Bhushan, one of India top civilian honours.
• We are asked to identify the journalist who refused or returned this award.
• Options list several public figures, but only one is strongly linked in exam literature with this specific action.

Concept / Approach:
Khushwant Singh, a famous Indian journalist and author, is often mentioned in exam oriented general knowledge sources as someone who did not retain the Padma Bhushan. He is known for returning the award in protest at a particular government action, which many question banks simplify as refusing the Padma Bhushan. Other journalists like Arun Shourie may have received honours but are not widely recorded in GK books as refusing this particular award. Therefore, the standard answer in exam context is Khushwant Singh.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the question is about a journalist linked to non acceptance of the Padma Bhushan. Step 2: Recall that Khushwant Singh is frequently cited in GK material as having returned this award in protest. Step 3: Compare with the other names in the options and note that they are not commonly connected with this specific fact in exam guides. Step 4: Shekharan Nair and Ratan Thiyam are known in other contexts but are not the standard answer to this question. Step 5: Arun Shourie is a prominent journalist and politician but is not typically listed as the one who refused this award. Step 6: Select Khushwant Singh as the correct answer in line with common GK references.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you look at compilations of facts about civilian honours, Khushwant Singh is repeatedly mentioned as a journalist who did not keep the Padma Bhushan and expressed disagreement with actions of the government. This association appears in many competitive exam books, strengthening confidence that he is the intended answer for this question even if different sources describe the situation with slightly different wording.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Shekharan Nair: While he was involved in journalism, he is not the name generally associated in GK questions with refusal or return of the Padma Bhushan.

Arun Shourie: A well known journalist and former minister, but standard exam materials do not connect him with refusing the Padma Bhushan in this way.

Ratan Thiyam: He is primarily known as a theatre director and playwright, not as the journalist linked to this specific award controversy.

Common Pitfalls:
Because more than one public figure has at times declined honours, students may mix up names and awards. It helps to link Khushwant Singh image as a bold columnist and critic with the action of returning the Padma Bhushan. This mental connection makes it easier to recall the pair journalist and award incident correctly in exams.

Final Answer:
The journalist known in general knowledge references for declining or later returning the Padma Bhushan is Khushwant Singh.