Bharat Ratna Award: Former Chief Minister of Bihar Karpoori Thakur will receive Bharat Ratna. He will be given Bharat Ratna posthumously. The government has made this announcement at a time when Wednesday (January 24) is the 100th birth anniversary of Karpoori Thakur.
The demand for honoring Karpoori Thakur with Bharat Ratna was rising for a long time. On Tuesday (January 22), JDU leader KC Tyagi had demanded to give Bharat Ratna to Thakur as well as opening a university in his name.
What did PM Modi say?
On Tuesday (January 22), PM Narendra Modi shared a picture of Karpoori Thakur from his official Have decided to do so and that too at a time when we are celebrating his birth centenary. This prestigious honor is a testament to his sustained efforts as a champion of the marginalized and a stalwart of equality and empowerment.”
PM Modi wrote, “His unwavering commitment to the upliftment of Dalits and his visionary leadership have left an indelible mark on the socio-political fabric of India. This award not only honors his remarkable contributions but also inspires us to continue his mission of creating a more just and equitable society.”
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar expressed happiness
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed happiness over the announcement of Karpoori Thakur being given the country’s highest honor Bharat Ratna. He called this decision of the Central Government the right decision. CM Nitish said that this highest honor given to late Karpoori Thakur ji on his 100th birth anniversary will create positive sentiments among the Dalits, deprived and neglected sections.
The Chief Minister also said that he has always been demanding to give Bharat Ratna to Karpoori Thakur. JDU’s years old demand has been fulfilled.
Karpoori Thakur became CM of Bihar twice
Karpoori Thakur is called Jannayak in Bihar. He became the Chief Minister of Bihar for some time. His first term as Chief Minister lasted from December 1970 to June 1971 and after that he held the post of CM from December 1977 to April 1979. For the first time he became CM in the government of Socialist Party and Bharatiya Kranti Dal and for the second time he became Chief Minister in the government of Janata Party.
Was involved in freedom movement, also went to jail
Karpuri Thakur was born in the family of Gokul Thakur and Ramdulari Devi in the village of Pitaujhiya (now Karpuri village) in Samastipur district of Bihar. During his student days, he was influenced by nationalist ideas and joined the All India Students Federation. He left his graduate college to join the Quit India Movement. He spent 26 months in jail for joining the freedom movement.
Karpoori Thakur had fast unto death for 28 days
After the country got independence from British rule, Karpoori Thakur worked as a teacher in his village school. He became a member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly from Tajpur constituency in 1952 as a Socialist Party candidate. He was arrested during the general strike of central government employees in 1960. In 1970, he went on a fast unto death for 28 days to promote the interests of Telco workers.
Complete prohibition was implemented in Bihar
Karpoori Thakur was a supporter of Hindi language and as the Education Minister of Bihar, he removed English as a compulsory subject from the matriculation curriculum. He served as a minister and deputy chief minister of Bihar before becoming the first non-Congress socialist Chief Minister of Bihar in 1970. He also implemented complete prohibition in Bihar. During his reign, many schools and colleges were established in his name in the backward areas of Bihar.
Karpoori Thakur was close to Jaiprakash Narayan. During the Emergency (1975-77) in the country, he and other prominent leaders of the Janata Party led the Total Revolution Movement aimed at non-violent transformation of the society. Many leaders of Bihar consider Karpoori Thakur as their ideal.
