In Patna, Droupadi Murmu, the President of India, bestowed upon the late Bihar Chief Minister, Karpoori Thakur, the esteemed Bharat Ratna on Saturday, March 30, recognizing his seminal contributions to social equity within the state. Attending the ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan today are Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Karpoori Thakur’s son, Ramnath Thakur, a leader of the JD (U) party.
Ramnath Thakur, in his capacity as a JD (U) luminary, accepted the honor bestowed upon his late father. Expressing his elation, he remarked, “The jubilation of both Bihar’s populace and the nation resonates within me today. Nitish Kumar consistently advocated for Karpoori Thakur to be accorded the Bharat Ratna.”
On January 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared Karpoori Thakur as the recipient of the Bharat Ratna.
Karpoori Thakur, born to Gokul Thakur and Ramdulari Devi on January 24, 1924, in the village of Pitojhiya in Samastipur, stands as a luminary in the annals of national politics. Hailed by many for his pivotal role in championing social justice in Bihar, the former Chief Minister of Bihar, Thakur, served two terms and also held the position of Deputy Chief Minister.
A participant in the Quit India Movement, Karpoori Thakur embarked on his political journey after passing the matriculation examination from Patna University in 1940. His activism led to a 26-month imprisonment in Bhagalpur during the Quit India Movement. Following his release in 1945, he assumed the role of regional minister in the Samajwadi Dal, led by Acharya Narendra Dev and Jayaprakash Narayan.
In the aftermath of India’s independence in 1947, Karpoori Thakur spearheaded efforts to secure rights for marginalized communities. His political ascendancy culminated in his appointment as the Chief Minister of Bihar in 1970. A pivotal figure in the student movement led by Loknayak Jayaprakash from 1973 to 1977, Thakur returned to the helm of Bihar as Chief Minister in 1977 and later secured a parliamentary seat from Samastipur.
Despite facing mid-term elections in 1980, Karpoori Thakur’s Lok Dal emerged as the principal opposition party, with Thakur assuming the role of opposition leader. Notably, he never tasted defeat in any assembly election during his tenure.
Deeply influenced by Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, Karpoori Thakur tirelessly advocated for the empowerment of Dalits and marginalized sections of society. His frugality and unwavering commitment endeared him to the masses, drawing admiration for his resolute character.
Karpoori Thakur’s legacy is further underscored by his initiatives to secure reservations for backward classes in Bihar, notably implementing reservation systems in 1977. Additionally, his tenure as Deputy Chief Minister in 1967 saw the abolition of mandatory English subjects for matriculation exams in Bihar.
Karpoori Thakur’s refusal to accept land grants from the government, despite offers from within his own party, exemplifies his integrity and simplicity. His demise on February 17, 1988, in Patna marked an unprecedented outpouring of grief, with throngs of mourners lining the streets during his funeral procession.