On March 31, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, upon veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani at his residence in New Delhi. The ceremony was graced by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Advani’s family members, as per a statement from the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Prime Minister Modi took to social media to express his sentiments, describing it as a special moment to witness Mr Advani being honoured with the Bharat Ratna. He lauded Advani’s dedication to public service and his significant role in shaping modern India, expressing pride in having collaborated closely with him over several decades.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan hailed Advani as a stalwart of Indian politics, highlighting his unwavering dedication and distinguished service to the nation spanning over seven decades. Advani’s focus on dialogue enriched parliamentary traditions, the statement noted.
The post underscored Advani’s prioritization of national interest as Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, which earned him respect across party lines. It also acknowledged his pivotal role in the cultural regeneration of India, notably the reconstruction of the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya in 2024.
Describing Advani as one of the few post-independence leaders who reshaped the national agenda, the Rashtrapati Bhavan praised his contributions, exemplifying India’s inclusive traditions and genius.
Born in Karachi in 1927, Advani migrated to India during Partition in 1947. A stalwart of the BJP, he served as Deputy Prime Minister from June 2002 to May 2004 and as Union Home Minister from October 1999 to May 2004. He also held multiple terms as BJP president.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan highlighted Advani’s vision of cultural nationalism, which transformed India’s socio-political landscape. His unwavering commitment to democracy during the Emergency and leadership in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement were noted as significant milestones in his political career.
As Union Home Minister, Advani implemented comprehensive reforms in India’s national security system and played a crucial role in countering cross-border terrorism and promoting peace in Kashmir. His efforts also led to the creation of three new states: Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand.
Throughout his political journey, Advani’s pursuit of enduring ideals such as the defence of democracy and cultural nationalism earned him widespread admiration. Despite facing challenges, including imprisonment during the Emergency, Advani maintained exemplary standards of political ethics.
Recognized as a statesman with intellectualism, integrity, and mass appeal, Advani’s exceptional service to the nation was acknowledged with the Padma Vibhushan in 2015, the second-highest civilian award.
In 2024, the government announced five Bharat Ratna awards, including one to Advani and four posthumously to former Prime Ministers P.V. Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh, agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan, and former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur. The awards were conferred in a ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday.
