The Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, was posthumously conferred upon former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur by the BJP-led Centre. Following this announcement, various political parties in Bihar, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), were quick to claim credit for advocating the award for the socialist leader. However, an incident from the 1980s involving RJD patriarch Lalu Yadav came to light, adding a layer of complexity to the narrative.
Karpoori Thakur, recognized for empowering the most backward classes through seat reservations, especially predating the Mandal politics of the 1990s, was in the news due to the prestigious honor bestowed upon him by the Central government. The RJD and its leader Tejashwi Yadav welcomed the announcement, while Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his party, Janata Dal (United), also expressed their satisfaction, having long advocated for the Bharat Ratna for Thakur.
However, the RJD, a product of the socialist movement nurtured by Karpoori Thakur, found itself seemingly caught off guard by the announcement, prompting them to play catch-up with their response. The incident from the 1980s, highlighted by author Anuranjan Jha in his book, 'Gandhi Maidan Bluff of Social Justice,' revealed that Lalu Yadav, once a pupil of Thakur, had refused to lend his jeep to the senior leader, who was unwell and hungry during a session at the Bihar Legislative Assembly.
The refusal by Lalu Yadav, citing a lack of fuel in his jeep, exposed a moment of tension between the two socialist leaders. Karpoori Thakur's humble background and commitment to social justice were emphasized, showcasing the stark simplicity of the leader who never owned a car and worked tirelessly for the welfare of the poor and marginalized communities.
While the political landscape in Bihar responded to the Bharat Ratna announcement with claims and counterclaims, this historical incident added a poignant dimension to the narrative, reflecting the intricate relationships within the socialist movement and the evolution of political leaders in the region.
