Rashtrapati Bhavan stated on Tuesday, 23 January that Karpoori Thakur, the former chief minister of Bihar, will get the Bharat Ratna posthumously.
Known by people as “jannayak”, Thakur was the chief minister twice: in December 1970–June 1971 and again in December 1977–April 1979.
Additionally, the news was communicated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X (formerly Twitter). At a time when we are commemorating the centennial of his birth, he said, “Bharat Ratna on the beacon of social justice, the great Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Ji.” His tireless efforts as an advocate for the underprivileged and a pillar of empowerment and equality have been recognized with this esteemed award.”
Kapoori Thakur’s early life and notable accomplishments
Indian politician Karpoori Thakur, who was born on January 24, 1924, and passed away on February 17, 1988, led Bihar for two terms as its eleventh chief minister: from December 1970 to June 1971 and again from June 1977 to April 1979. Known by the popular moniker Jan Nayak, which means “people’s hero,” Days before Republic Day, on January 23, 2024, President Draupadi Murmu said that he will be posthumously given India’s highest civilian accolade, the Bharat Ratna, by the Government of India on January 26, 2024.
Following India‘s freedom, Thakur was employed as a schoolteacher in his village. In 1952, he was elected as a Socialist Party candidate from the Tajpur constituency and joined the Bihar Vidhan Sabha. He was taken into custody for leading P&T workers during the 1960 Central Government workers’ countrywide strike.
Regarding accomplishments, Thakur was a fervent supporter of Hindi and, when serving as Bihar’s education minister, he eliminated English from the curriculum as a required subject for matriculation. The low levels of English-medium education in the state are said to have harmed the Bihari children. Before taking office as the first non-Congress socialist chief minister of Bihar in 1970, Thakur had positions as a minister and deputy chief minister. Additionally, he upheld Bihar’s complete alcohol ban. In the impoverished parts of Bihar, several schools and institutions bearing his name were founded during his rule.
‘Jan Nayak’ of Bihar politics, Karpoori Thakur, will get the Bharat Ratna
In Bihar, Karpoori Thakur has been the political “Jan Nayak,” or people’s hero, whose legacy parties of all stripes want to claim. He was selected for the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, a day before his birth anniversary. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whose JD(U) has organized a sizable gathering to commemorate the birth day on Wednesday, has expressed thanks and paid a heartfelt homage to the statement made by the Center.
Karpoori Thakur, a figure for the backward class movement, introduced a 26% reservation model in Bihar in 1978 to provide government jobs to the economically backward classes. This layered reservation system included 12% for the Other Backward Class, 8% for the Most Backward Class, 3% for women, and 3% for economically backward classes from the upper castes. In 1977, Thakur won the Phulparas Vidhan Sabha constituency by-election, defeating Ram Jaipal Singh Yadav of INC. Veteran socialist leader and RJD national vice-president Shivanand Tiwary, whose late father Ramanand Tiwary had been a comrade of Thakur, praised his leadership qualities and respect for those from the upper castes. Thakur’s rise to prominence in 1967 marked the first non-Congress government in Bihar, led by Mahamaya Prasad Sinha. He also held the education portfolio and was known for eliminating English as a compulsory subject in schools. His rise to power was a testament to his dedication to the backward class and his ability to inspire change.
PM Modi expressed his joy with the choice to award Karpoori Thakur
India’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has expressed happiness over the Bharat Ratna award given to Shri Karpoori Thakur posthumously, a pioneer of social justice in India. The Prime Minister praised Thakur’s unwavering commitment and visionary leadership for the upliftment of the backward and deprived, leaving an indelible mark on India’s socio-political scenario.
The Bharat Ratna is a prestigious recognition that honors Thakur’s enduring efforts as a champion for the marginalized and a stalwart of equality and empowerment. The Prime Minister emphasized that Thakur’s unwavering commitment to uplift the downtrodden and his visionary leadership have left an indelible mark on India’s socio-political fabric, inspiring the country to continue his mission of creating a more just and equitable society. Karpoori Thakur, a champion for the marginalized and a stalwart of equality and empowerment, has been awarded prestigious recognition by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His visionary leadership has left an indelible mark on India’s socio-political fabric, inspiring the attainment of social justice.
