New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, and other leaders on Tuesday expressed their delight over the decision of the government to award Bharat Ratna to Karpoori Thakur. The decision comes on the eve of Thakur's 100th birth anniversary, which is observed on Wednesday, January 24. 


PM Modi said he is "delighted" that the Rashtrapati Bhavan has decided to confer the country's highest civilian award - Bharat Ratna to one of the top socialist leaders and former Bihar Chief Minister - Karpoori Thakur. ALSO READ | Who Was Karpoori Thakur? Bihar's 'Jan Nayak' Set To Be Honoured With Bharat Ratna


"I am delighted that the Government of India has decided to confer the Bharat Ratna on the beacon of social justice, the great Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Ji and that too at a time when we are marking his birth centenary. This prestigious recognition is a testament to his enduring efforts as a champion for the marginalized and a stalwart of equality and empowerment," PM Modi posted in Hindi on X.












Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also thanked PM Modi and his government for this decision and said that it will create positive sentiments among the Dalits, deprived and neglected sections of the society.

 

"It is a matter of great pleasure to give the country's highest honor 'Bharat Ratna' to former Chief Minister and great socialist leader Late Karpuri Thakur ji. This is a good decision by the Central Government. This highest honor given to Late Karpoori Thakur Ji on his 100th birth anniversary will create positive sentiments among the Dalits, deprived and neglected sections. We have always been demanding to give 'Bharat Ratna' to Late Karpoori Thakur ji. The years-old demand has been fulfilled today. Thanks to Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for this," Kumar posted.



BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad said that awarding Karpoori Thakur with Bharat Ratna is an honour of the poor and the backward of the country.


"For this much-awaited decision, I express my gratitude. Awarding Karpoori Thakur with Bharat Ratna is an honour of the poor, the backward of the country," he said.






Kapur's son and JD(U) MP Ram Nath Thakur said, " I want to thank central govt from my side as well as on behalf of my party and people of Bihar...I don't see it from the side of politics. His (Karpoori Thakur) 100th birthday is tomorrow so maybe in view of that Central govt took this decision."






Union Minister Nityanand Rai said, "First of all, I would like to express gratitude to PM Narendra Modi. Karpoori Thakur's entire life was dedicated to the poor and deprived...Those who do politics in his name never thought for him, they just did politics in his name. Parties formed government with Congress but Karpoori Thakur did not get the honour..."








Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed his delight over the decision to award Bharat Ratna to Karpoori Thakur.



Bihar BJP chief Samrat Choudhary thanked PM Modi for the 'historic' decision. "This is a historic decision. Thanks to the Prime Minister. By conferring the Bharat Ratna on 'Gudri Ka Laal', freedom fighter and former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur, PM Modi's government has enhanced the pride of Bihar," he told ANI.



Karpoori Thakur, who served as Bihar's Chief Minister in the 1970s, played a pivotal role in the implementation of quotas for backward classes in the state. His influence is evident in the political strategies of current leaders like Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad.