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Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Wednesday said that former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur had taken the concept of social justice to the entire country and people are elated over his being conferred with Bharat Ratna.
Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday announced that the President is pleased to award Bharat Ratna on Karpoori Thakur (posthumously). Meghwal said that Karpoori Thakur has been conferred the award he deserved. Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian honour. "Former Bihar Chief Minister and social justice icon Karpoori Thakur led a very simple life. He became Bihar's CM twice. He took social justice to the entire country. He has finally conferred the award that he deserved," Meghwal said. Karpoori Thakur's grandson Dr Abhinav Vikas thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for the decision. He also expressed gratitude from the residents of Bihar. "I feel very good...I would like to thank PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah," Abhinav Vikas said. The late leader's granddaughter Dr Jagriti said he worked for uplifting the downtrodden and she is feeling proud over the honour. Referring to Karpoori Thakur's efforts for encouraging education in local languages, she said he contributed immensely to uplifting children belonging to poor families as they earlier could not continue their education due to language barrier. "He belonged to the country, to the poor. I feel very proud. I did not see him but have heard stories of the work done by him from my parents." Bihar Minister Shrawon Kumar welcomed the decision to confer the Bharat Ratna on the late leader but said it should have been done earlier. "It is very late, but we are happy that it has finally been conferred." He said the state government is working to make Karpoori Thakur's dreams come true. Karpoori Thakur was born in 1924 in one of the most backward sections of society, the Nai Samaj. He was a remarkable leader whose political journey was marked by his unwavering commitment to the marginalised sections of society. He served as the Chief Minister of Bihar and was a key figure in the struggle against social discrimination and inequality. His commitment to affirmative action gave representation and opportunities to the poor, oppressed, exploited and deprived sections of the country. (ANI)
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