A day after the announcement by Rashtrapati Bhavan to award Karpoori Thakur, a distinguished socialist leader and former Chief Minister of Bihar, with the Bharat Ratna, Congress leaders expressed their approval. However, the party took a sly dig at the Centre, demanding the release of the Social and Economic Caste Census, stating that the nation needs “real justice” and not “politics of symbolism.”
Thakur, a two-time Bihar Chief Minister, has been honoured with the country’s highest civilian award.
Reacting to the Centre’s decision, Rahul Gandhi said that a caste census would be a true tribute to Karpoori Thakur, as the country now needs “real justice” and not “politics of symbolism,” even as he welcomed the decision to confer Bharat Ratna on the socialist leader.
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On Karpoori’s birth centenary, Rahul Gandhi in a social media post paid homage to the leader, hailing him as an unparalleled champion of social justice and a precious asset to India.
Taking it to X, Gandhi accused the BJP government of attempting to weaken the social justice movement by withholding the 2011 results of the Social and Economic Caste Census and displaying indifference toward a nationwide census. “‘Participatory Justice’, one of the five justices of the Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra, is the focus of justice and social equality, which can begin only after the caste census,” he said.
He concluded by stating that such a step would genuinely honour Jannayak Karpoori Thakur and his tireless advocacy for the rights of society’s backward and deprived sections.
Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister, Tejashwi Yadav, hailed the central government’s decision claiming that his party had long been advocating for this recognition.
He expressed joy, “We have been demanding this for a long time. We are really happy that our former CM has been awarded with Bharat Ratna. Its impact will also be seen politically. Govt of India was forced to take this decision after we conducted the caste census…Whether this decision was taken right before Lok Sabha elections or not is not important, what is important is that our demand has been fulfilled…” he said, as ANI reported.
Meanwhile, Jairam Ramesh, Congress General Secretary, took a swipe at the BJP in the cast census matter saying, “Even though it reflects the Modi government’s desperation and hypocrisy, the Indian National Congress welcomes the award of the Bharat Ratna posthumously to the champion of social justice, Jannayak Karpoori Thakurji.”
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Born on January 24, 1924, and passing away on February 17, 1988, Karpoori Thakur hailed from one of the most backward sections of society, the Nai Samaj. His political journey, beginning with the Praja Socialist Party and later aligning with the Janata Party during his initial chief ministerial term from 1977 to 1979, showcased his unwavering dedication to marginalised communities. Thakur’s tenure as the Chief Minister of Bihar marked a pivotal role in the fight against social discrimination and inequality.