Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries have paid tribute to the late Karpoori Thakur, a former Chief Minister of Bihar and a noted social justice icon, on the occasion of his 100th birth anniversary. PM Modi praised Thakur's visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to uplifting the downtrodden, which he said left an indelible mark on India's socio-political fabric. The Modi government's decision to confer the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, to Karpoori Thakur posthumously has sparked a range of reactions. While Thakur's family, including his grandson Dr Abhinav Vikas and granddaughter Dr Jagriti, expressed pride and gratitude for the recognition, the Congress party criticized the award as an act of desperation and hypocrisy. Union Minister Ashwini Kr. Choubey and RJD president Lalu Prasad also commented on Thakur's legacy. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav paid tribute to Thakur in Patna, with Kumar suggesting that PM Modi could claim the entire credit for the award without acknowledging his efforts. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who spoke at the centenary commemoration in New Delhi alongside Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal and Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, highlighted Thakur's contributions to the Hindi language and his fight for the welfare of the poor and backward sections of society. A postal stamp was also released in Thakur's memory during the birth centenary celebrations.
#Watch | On the birth centenary celebrations of #JannayakKarpuriThakur, a postal stamp was released in his memory. Union Minister @AmitShah participated in the program. #BharatRatnaKarpooriThakurJi #BharatRatna https://t.co/yskd2npGmL
Union Home Minister @AmitShah addresses the 100th birth anniversary celebrations of Jannayak Karpoori Thakur in New Delhi It took a very long time for Jannayak Karpoori Thakur to become Bharat Ratna Karpoori Thakur, says the Minister Read here: https://t.co/jwx69YmDoy… https://t.co/mBnbpRy9dc
UM Amit Shah addresses the 100th birth anniversary programme of Karpoori Thakur in New Delhi https://t.co/yimOuMjDB4
PM Modi writes tribute article for Karpoori Thakur, Amit Shah hits out at Opposition @ishadrita reports https://t.co/ZHLWdmBtzw
#WATCH | Addressing the 100th birth anniversary program of Jannayak Karpoori Thakur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "...Karpoori Thakur had taken the decision to give strength to Hindi 5 decades ago, PM Modi has done the work of taking forward the new generation educated in… https://t.co/EcCIA4vMYy
VIDEO | "Karpoori Thakur fought all his life for the welfare of the poor and backward sections of society. I can comprehend this thought (fighting for the welfare of poor, backward section of the society) coming from someone belonging to a wealthy family. But, 100 years ago, a… https://t.co/gLCS4fAWt5
Union Home Minister @AmitShah at the inaugural ceremony of the Commemoration of Birth Centenary of Jan Nayak #KarpooriThakur at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. On the occasion, Union Minister for Law and Justice @arjunrammeghwal, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment… https://t.co/J6DlhAvSyu
VIDEO | "Karpoori ji gave strength to the poor, downtrodden people of the state. Those who were not able to raise their voice against the feudalists, Karpoori ji gave strength to such people," says RJD president @laluprasadrjd during an event in Patna. (Full video available on… https://t.co/oF4xVlKZ8K
STORY | PM could claim full credit for Bharat Ratna to Karpoori Thakur: Nitish Kumar READ: https://t.co/XGZawWdHC8 (PTI Photo) https://t.co/xOYnrakT1z
PM could claim entire credit for Bharat Ratna to Karpoori Thakur without acknowledging my efforts: Nitish at Patna rally
VIDEO | "It is a proud moment that I cannot express in words. The respect and honour granted by PM Modi and Amit Shah to my late grandfather have not been given before; it is a matter of pride," says late Karpoori Thakur's granddaughter Dr Jagriti on the socialist icon being… https://t.co/eHU47seemT
VIDEO | "It is a matter of pleasure and pride for everyone belonging from the lower part of the society’s ladder," says late Karpoori Thakur's grandson Dr Abhinav Vikas on the socialist icon being conferred with the Bharat Ratna posthumously. https://t.co/70MkiQ64aU
VIDEO | "Lalu Prasad humiliated Karpoori Thakur and used to call him 'Kapti Thakur'. These two (Lalu and Nitish Kumar) disrespected him when he was alive. There is only one person who has given respect to Karpoori Thakur, leader of the poor - Narendra Modi," says Union minister… https://t.co/ha8LMOLeIV
#WATCH | "...Only PM Modi could have done this," says Union Minister Ashwini Kr. Choubey on highest civilian award 'Bharat Ratna' to veteran politician and former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur https://t.co/2GaWLWHD3p
#WATCH | Patna: Grandson of former Bihar Chief Minister and social justice icon Karpoori Thakur, Dr Abhinav Vikas says, "I feel very good...I would like to thank PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah..." https://t.co/Ofj4fTJdDI
VIDEO | Bihar CM @NitishKumar and Deputy CM @yadavtejashwi pay tribute to late Karpoori Thakur on the occasion of his 100th birth anniversary in Patna. https://t.co/sxUhSMXlGW
STORY | My govt has walked on path shown by Karpoori Thakur: PM Modi READ: https://t.co/7Y690YXzBe (File Photo) https://t.co/aMJxzJYS7i
STORY | Bharat Ratna award to Karpoori Thakur reflects Modi govt's desperation, hypocrisy: Congress READ: https://t.co/zXsRIEWCVz https://t.co/7W6OR1JNRc
"I Have Much To Thank Him For": PM's Praise For Karpoori Thakur https://t.co/cED9UmevCV @vasudha156 reports https://t.co/GXlT9VVe6B
Watch | "I Have Much To Thank Him For": PM's Praise For Karpoori Thakur @vasudha165 reports https://t.co/4UO1v3aee7
"I Have Much To Thank Him For": PM's Praise For Karpoori Thakur https://t.co/cED9Umf3st @maryashakil reports https://t.co/25hxNW2sLk
Thakur's visionary leadership, unwavering commitment to uplift downtrodden left indelible mark on India's socio-political fabric: PM Modi