Former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur To Be Posthumously Awarded Bharat Ratna: Rashtrapati Bhavan

Former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur will be posthumously awarded the prestigious Bharat Ratna, Rashtrapati Bhavan informed.

File photo of Former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur

Source : X/@narendramodi

Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday declared that the former Chief Minister of Bihar, Karpoori Thakur, will be posthumously awarded the prestigious Bharat Ratna. The decision comes on the eve of Thakur's 100th birth anniversary, which will be observed on Wednesday, January 24. The honour is to be bestowed in recognition of Thakur's impactful leadership during the 1970s.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed happiness over the announcement saying, "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 marginalised and a stalwart of equality and empowerment." 

"His unwavering commitment to uplift the downtrodden and his visionary leadership have left an indelible mark on India's socio-political fabric. This award not only honours his remarkable contributions but also inspires us to continue his mission of creating a more just and equitable society," he added.

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… pic.twitter.com/9fSJrZJPSP

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2024

The demand for conferring the Bharat Ratna upon Karpoori Thakur had been long-standing. Notably, on Tuesday, JD(U) leader Keshi Tyagi not only advocated for the Bharat Ratna for Thakur but also urged the establishment of a university in his name.

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.

BJP Vs JDU On Karpoori Thakur's Birth Anniversary Celebrations

Earlier, the opposition BJP accused incumbent Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) of undermining their plans to celebrate Thakur's birth anniversary. State BJP president Samrat Choudhary voiced his discontent, threatening to stage a demonstration outside the JD(U) office on January 24, PTI reported.

On January 24, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is expected to visit Thakur's ancestral home in Samastipur district and address a party function at the veterinary college ground. Meanwhile, the BJP, aiming to broaden its appeal beyond its perceived 'pro-upper caste' image, hopes to gain support from the politically unorganised Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs).

Choudhary raised concerns about the JD(U) setting up tents at the Miller High School ground, the proposed site for the BJP's event. He questioned the necessity of the JD(U) organising a separate function at the veterinary college ground, a few kilometres away.

"The JD(U) is holding its own function at the veterinary college ground, which is a few kilometres away. Why does it then need another ground elsewhere for its workers coming from outside the state," Choudhary asserted, as quoted by PTI.

JD(U) leader and Bihar minister Ashok Chaudhary refuted the allegations, stating, "It is not in our character to put hurdles in the way of other programmes planned by other parties. If the BJP thinks the administration should not have allowed us to bring our party workers here, then we cannot help it."

Choudhary, in response, highlighted a previous event organised by JD(U) at the same venue, stating, "We had organized a Bhim Sansad in November which attracted huge crowds. If BJP wants to create a scene, we can only express regret."