EDITED BY : SANDEEP DHAND
WEBSESK X ( LUDHIANA )
24 JANUARY 2024
In a historic move, the Central government posthumously conferred the Bharat Ratna on the late Karpoori Thakur, a towering figure in Bihar’s political landscape. The announcement, made on Tuesday, has sparked both gratitude and political maneuvering, with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressing joy at the fulfillment of a long-standing demand while cautioning that Prime Minister Narendra Modi might attempt to claim undue credit.
Addressing an event organized by the Janata Dal (United) to commemorate Karpoori Thakur’s birth centenary, Nitish Kumar acknowledged that the demand for Bharat Ratna for Thakur had been persistent within his party. However, he raised concerns that the Prime Minister might take exclusive credit for the decision. Kumar revealed that it was Thakur’s son, Rammath Thakur, who received a call from PM Modi, informing him about the prestigious honor.
“I was told by Ramnath Thakur, my party colleague and the late leader’s son, that the prime minister had called him up after the announcement. The PM has not called me so far. It is possible that he may claim full credit for the move. Be that as it may, I thank the PM and his government for fulfilling a demand I have been raising since I assumed power in Bihar,” Kumar stated.
The Chief Minister went on to highlight Thakur’s influence on his own political journey, emphasizing that, inspired by the late leader’s principles, he refrained from involving his family in politics. Karpoori Thakur, the first non-Congress socialist leader to become the chief minister, has left an indelible mark on Bihar’s political and social fabric.
“It was also Karpoori Thakur who inspired our commitment to the cause of Other Backward Classes and Extremely Backward Classes. The caste survey, which we conducted and followed it up with many other welfare measures for the deprived sections, should be implemented across the country,” Kumar declared passionately at the rally.
The decision to award Bharat Ratna to Thakur has received acclaim from various political quarters. The Congress, while welcoming the decision, expressed a nuanced viewpoint. Jairam Ramesh remarked, “Even though it reflects the Modi Govt’s desperation and hypocrisy, the Indian National Congress welcomes the posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna to the champion of social justice Jannayak Karpoori Thakurji.”
Kumar, on Tuesday, had lauded the Modi government for fulfilling the longstanding demand of the JDU. “I have been demanding Bharat Ratna for Karpoori Thakur for a long time. I am delighted by the announcement. It brings to fruition a long-standing demand of the JD(U),” he affirmed.
Karpoori Thakur, affectionately known as ‘Jan Nayak’ (people’s leader), served as the 49th recipient of the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian award. His legacy as a champion of social justice and advocate for the rights of the marginalized continues to inspire leaders across party lines. The award, last conferred on late President Pranab Mukherjee in 2019, stands as a testament to Thakur’s enduring impact on the socio-political landscape of Bihar and the nation at large.