Karpoori Thakur, a mass leader of the poor and backward castes in Bihar, won several elections and held key positions, including Chief Minister of Bihar twice and Deputy Chief Minister. In 2024, he was honored with the Bharat Ratna posthumously by the Government of India. |
Thakur actively participated in the Indian independence movement after attending rallies of prominent leaders like Acharya Narendra Dev and was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi and Satyanarayan Sinha. |
He began his political career after dropping out of college and serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) and Member of Parliament (MP) from Samastipur. |
As the Chief Minister of Bihar, he introduced significant policy changes, such as making education free till 8th standard and implementing land reforms for peasants. |
Thakur was known for his simplicity and integrity, as he lived modestly even when he held powerful positions. |
Despite being a Chief Minister multiple times, he did not engage in dynasty politics and refused privileges, such as using official cars for personal matters. |
Thakur faced challenges and criticism for his decisions, like implementing reservations and procuring guns for marginalized communities for self-protection. |
Throughout his life, Karpoori Thakur prioritized the welfare of the poor and worked towards social justice without involving himself in corruption or amassing personal wealth. |
His commitment to the upliftment of the underprivileged was evident in his actions, such as using donated bricks to build schools instead of his home. |
Thakur's legacy continues to inspire many prominent leaders who consider him their ideological mentor for his dedication to public service and social justice. |
During his birth anniversary celebrations, leaders like Narendra Modi praised Thakur's vision and simplicity, highlighting his contributions to empowering backward castes. |
His son accepted the prestigious Bharat Ratna award on his behalf in 2024, acknowledging Thakur's significant impact on Indian politics and society. |