On the eve of Former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur 100th birth anniversary, the Centre announced that the former Bihar Chief Minister and socialist icon awarded India’s highest civilian award Bharat Ratna posthumously.
On 26 January 2024, CM Karpoori Thakur was posthumously awarded India’s highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, by the Government of India. This was announced by the President of India Draupadi Murmu on 23 January 2024. He will be the 49th recipient of the Bharat Ratna.
Demands to award CM Thakur, who was a socialist icon popularly known as ‘Jannayak’, were made by most of Bihar’s major leaders over the last few decades.
In July last year, Bihar’s deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav revived the demand to honor Thakur at a function where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present.
Following the announcement, politicians across party lines hailed the decision to give the socialist leader India’s highest civilian honor. Nitish Kumar said he was “delighted” by the announcement. Tejaswi Yadav thanked the Centre for the step.
CM Karpoori Thakur received Bharat Ratna Posthumously on January 26
Karpoori Thakur (24 January 1924 – 17 February 1988) was an Indian politician from the Bihar state. He was popularly known as Jan Nayak (Hindi जननायक for people’s hero).
He served as the Chief Minister of Bihar twice and was known for championing the cause of the backward classes. His tenure as Chief Minister was marked by various pro-poor initiatives, including the implementation of land reforms and policies aimed at empowering the underprivileged.
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
Thakur’s tenure as Bihar CM can be remembered with two important decisions. First, in 1970, he enforced the total prohibition of alcohol in the state. Second, he implemented the recommendations of the Mungeri Lal Commission, whereby quotas for backward classes were introduced in the state.
This panel was a forerunner of the Mandal Commission. A highlight of the Mungeri Lal Commission was a separate sub-category called Most Backward Classes.
This category also provided the template for the “ati pichhda” plank built by Nitish Kumar years later.
On the occasion his 100th birthday finally CM karpoori is getting the highest honour of the country “Bharat Ratna” for the work and sacrifice he did for the welfare of society.
Early life of Karpoori Thakur and his contribution to Indian Politics
Karpoori Thakur was an Indian politician who served as the Chief Minister of the Indian state of Bihar. He was born on January 24, 1924, in Pitaunjhia village, Samastipur district, Bihar.
Karpoori Thakur was known for his efforts to uplift the marginalized sections of society, especially the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
Thakur was inspired by the likes of Ram Manohar Lohia and was close to Jayaprakash Lohia. He was also an active participant in India’s freedom struggle.
#WATCH | “I feel very proud. I did not see him but have heard his stories from my parents,” says the granddaughter of former #Bihar CM #KarpooriThakur
(📹ANI) pic.twitter.com/X2o6AraFNY
— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) January 24, 2024
In 1942, he was arrested for participating in the Quit India Movement.
He also became the first non-Congress socialite leader who became CM twice. CM Karpoori Thakur was associated with socialist and Janata Party politics. He served as the Chief Minister of Bihar on two separate occasions. His first term was from December 1970 to June 1971, and his second term was from December 1977 to April 1979.
One of the notable aspects of Karpoori Thakur’s political career was his role in the implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations. The Mandal Commission recommended reservations for socially and economically backward classes in education and government jobs. Thakur played a significant role in the decision to implement these recommendations, a move aimed at addressing social and economic inequalities.
Karpoori Thakur was known for his simple lifestyle and dedication to social justice. His contributions to the upliftment of the oppressed and his advocacy for the rights of backward communities are remembered in Indian political history.
He passed away on February 17, 1988, at the age of 64, leaving a legacy of advocating for the rights of backward communities in Indian politics.