Former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur to Receive Posthumous Bharat Ratna

Former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur will be posthumously awarded the prestigious Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, as announced by the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Thakur, fondly known as ‘Jan Nayak‘, was a prominent socialist leader and played a pivotal role in strengthening the backward castes in Bihar.

Born on January 24, 1924, Karpoori Thakur actively participated in the Quit India Movement against the British regime and was imprisoned. He began his political journey with his first election victory in 1952 and went on to have an illustrious career, never losing a single election.

One of Thakur’s most significant contributions was the introduction of reservations for backward castes in government services in Bihar in 1978. This move set the stage for the implementation of the Mandal Commission report in 1990, which brought about reservations on a national level.

Serving as the Chief Minister of Bihar twice, from December 1970 to June 1971 and again from December 1977 to April 1979, Karpoori Thakur left a lasting impact on the state’s social and political landscape. His unwavering commitment to social justice and empowerment earned him the title of ‘Jan Nayak’.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his delight at the government’s decision to confer the Bharat Ratna on Karpoori Thakur, especially as the country celebrates his birth centenary. PM Modi described Thakur as a champion for the marginalized and a stalwart of equality and empowerment.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar welcomed the announcement, stating that it fulfilled the long-standing demand of the ruling Janata Dal (United) party. The recognition of Karpoori Thakur with the Bharat Ratna is expected to send a positive message among the deprived sections of society.