The legacy of Karpoori Thakur, an influential socialist leader and former Chief Minister of Bihar, has been posthumously honored with the awarding of the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, by the central government. This recognition comes on the centenary of his birth and has witnessed a scramble among Bihar’s political parties to claim association with his heritage. Notably, Tejashwi Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) remarked that this recognition would uplift the dignity of the underprivileged, reflecting a long-standing demand of the state’s political entities.
Despite the overarching celebration, an anecdotal reflection on the past relationship between Thakur and another political stalwart, Lalu Yadav, brings to light a less flattering episode. According to the sources, there was a time when Lalu Yadav, in an apparent lack of respect for his ailing mentor, uncharitably refused to lend his jeep to Thakur, who was in need. This incident occurred despite Yadav himself being considered an inheritor of Thakur’s political philosophy.
Thakur’s political career was notable for instituting reservations for the most backward classes, a vision that predated the well-known Mandal Commission of the 1990s. His term as Chief Minister of Bihar saw the implementation of quotas not only for the backward classes but also for women and the economically weaker sections. The BJP’s decision to confer the Bharat Ratna to Thakur is seen as a strategic move in the political landscape of Bihar, where alliances can dictate electoral outcomes. With the partnership between JD(U) and RJD proving to be a formidable opposition, the BJP seeks to establish its goodwill among the OBCs and EBCs, particularly after its alliance with JD(U) was dissolved.
Thakur was a man of simplicity, never owning a car throughout his life, and was renowned for his commitment to the less fortunate. His political actions, such as the establishment of the reservation system which distinguished between various subgroups among the backward classes, have been hailed as revolutionary. Even before becoming Chief Minister, Thakur was actively involved in the freedom movement and worked closely with key figures such as Sahajanand Saraswati and Jai Prakash Narayan.
The central government’s decision to award the Bharat Ratna to Thakur serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between caste politics and electoral strategy in India. It also reflects the BJP’s attempt to navigate the political dynamics of Bihar while upholding its broader ideological commitments. While the acknowledgment of Thakur’s contributions may help the BJP gain favor among certain voter segments, it remains to be seen how this will influence the state’s political future.
In the intricate dance of Bihar’s political arena, the awarding of the Bharat Ratna to Karpoori Thakur signifies not just a tribute to a leader’s legacy but also a calculated move in a game where historical narratives and contemporary alliances are continuously redefined.