Shri
Karpoori Thakur's 101st Birth Anniversary Celebration : LEADER IN NEWS
India celebrated the 101st birth
anniversary of Bharat Ratna recipient Shri Karpoori Thakur.
India honored the legacy of Shri
Karpoori Thakur, a towering personality in Indian politics and society, by
celebrating his 101st birth anniversary on January 24, 2025. His contributions
to social justice and public service continue to be recognized and celebrated.
About Shri Karpoori Thakur
1. He was born on 24 January
1924 at Pitaunjhia (now Karpoori Gram) in the Darbhanga district of Bihar.
Karpoori Thakur hailed from a small village, Pitaunjhia, which was later
renamed Karpoori Gram in his honor, highlighting his significance in Bihar’s
history.
2. He was also famously known as
‘Jannayak’, a freedom fighter and a champion of the cause of farmers, women,
and disadvantaged sections of society.
Nicknamed "Jannayak" (leader of the people), Thakur dedicated his
life to uplifting marginalized communities and fighting for their rights. His
contributions as a freedom fighter and his advocacy for social causes made him
a revered figure.
3. He formed the Navyuvak Sangh
in 1938 at the age of 14.
Even as a teenager, Thakur demonstrated leadership by forming the Navyuvak
Sangh (Youth Association) to promote youth involvement in social and political
reforms.
4. He actively took part in the
farmer's movement led by Swami Sahajanand Saraswati (second half of the 1930s)
and then in the Quit India Movement (1942).
Thakur joined the farmer's movement under Swami Sahajanand Saraswati,
advocating for farmers' rights during colonial exploitation, and played an
active role in the Quit India Movement against British rule in 1942.
5. Thakur was elected provincial
minister of the Socialist Party (Which was earlier a part of the Congress
Socialist Party) and joined the Central Committee of Hind Kisan Panchayat.
Thakur’s political journey began with his association with the Socialist Party.
He played an integral role in the Hind Kisan Panchayat, a platform for farmers'
advocacy.
The Socialist Party and its
Formation
1. The Congress Socialist Party
was formed in 1934 by Acharya Narendra Dev and Jayaprakash Narayan. This party
later merged with the Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party.
The Congress Socialist Party was an influential left-wing group within the
Indian National Congress. It eventually evolved into the Socialist Party, which
merged with other groups to form the Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party.
2. He won the first election of
Independent India in 1952 from the Socialist Party.
Thakur contested the first general elections after India’s independence in 1952
and won, reflecting his popularity and commitment to social justice.
Political Leadership and Reforms
1. He became the Deputy Chief
Minister of Bihar in 1967, holding the Education and Finance Ministries.
Thakur took on significant responsibilities as Deputy Chief Minister, where he
focused on improving the state's education system and financial governance.
2. Later in 1970, he became the
11th Chief Minister of Bihar.
In 1970, Karpoori Thakur became the Chief Minister of Bihar, a role he used to
introduce transformative reforms.
3. In 1978, the Thakur-led
government implemented the recommendations of the Mungeri Lal Commission
(1971-1977), introducing reservations for backward classes in government jobs
and educational institutions in the State.
Thakur's government acted on the Mungeri Lal Commission's report, reserving
jobs and educational seats for backward classes, a landmark step toward social
justice.
4. Thakur recognized Urdu as the
second official language and implemented the Antodaya Yojana for the first time
to provide food grain through the public distribution system in the state.
By giving Urdu official language status, Thakur promoted inclusivity. The
Antodaya Yojana aimed to alleviate poverty by providing subsidized food grains
to the poorest families.
5. He made primary education
free and removed the mandatory requirement of passing the English exam to pass
matriculation (10th class) in the state.
Thakur prioritized education reforms, making primary education accessible to
all and reducing barriers like mandatory English exams for matriculation.
6. He also launched a campaign
called ‘Angrezi Hatao’, with the slogan ‘Angrezi mein kaam na hoga, phir se
desh ghulam na hoga [There will be no work in English; the country won’t be
enslaved again]’.
Thakur advocated for reducing English dependency in government and education,
promoting the use of native languages to preserve cultural identity.
7. Thakur was awarded Bharat
Ratna posthumously in 2019.
In recognition of his lifelong dedication to social reform and public service,
Thakur was posthumously honored with India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat
Ratna, in 2019.
Karpoori Thakur’s Policy and
Legacy
1. He provided opportunities to
those sections of society that were the most marginalized, invisible, and
fragmented within the social structure.
Thakur focused on empowering the most disadvantaged communities, ensuring they
had access to opportunities and resources.
2. He championed the principles
of social justice and advocated for equal rights for the marginalized,
embodying the ideals of “Azadi and Roti” – i.e., freedom and sustenance for
all.
His vision emphasized both liberation from oppression and meeting basic needs,
promoting equality and dignity for all citizens.
What is Bharat Ratna Award?
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2095857