Karpoori Thakur To Be Awarded Posthumous Bharat Ratna

A communication from Indian President said that Bharat Ratna will be awarded to Karpoori Thakur (posthumously), who was the Chief Minister of the Indian state of Bihar and was known for his efforts to promote social justice and uplift the marginalized sections of society.

One of his significant decisions as Chief Minister of Bihar was the implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations, which aimed at providing reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in government jobs and educational institutions, which had a far-reaching impact on Indian politics and social dynamics.

Born on January 24, 1924, in Pitaunjhia village in Bihar, India, Karpoori Thakur was associated with socialist and Janata Party movements in India, and also played a key role in the establishment of the Janata Dal, a political party, and became the Chief Minister of Bihar on two occasions—first from December 1970 to June 1971, and later from December 1977 to April 1979.

Reacting to the announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he is “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.”

PM Modi added that the recognition is a testament to Mr Thakur’s enduring efforts as a champion for the marginalized and a stalwart of equality and empowerment.

“His unwavering commitment to uplift the downtrodden and his visionary leadership have left an indelible mark on India”s socio-political fabric. This award not only honours his remarkable contributions but also inspires us to continue his mission of creating a more just and equitable society,” PM Modi added.

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