In a momentous event, President Droupadi Murmu bestowed India’s highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, upon esteemed personalities who have made indelible contributions to the nation. The ceremony unfolded over two days, with Lal Krishna Advani, a veteran of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), receiving the coveted award on Sunday at his residence in Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu graced the occasion with their presence.
Bharat Ratna Recipients Celebrated Across India
On the preceding day, Saturday, President Murmu conferred the Bharat Ratna upon four distinguished personalities, including two former Prime Ministers, Chaudhary Charan Singh and PV Narasimha Rao. Additionally, the honor was bestowed upon former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur and renowned agronomist MS Swaminathan. The late PV Narasimha Rao’s daughter, N Sharada Devi, expressed her delight over her father’s posthumous recognition, extending gratitude to the Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the honor.
Lal Krishna Advani’s Political Journey
Lal Krishna Advani commenced his parliamentary tenure in 1970 with his election to the Rajya Sabha. Over the years, he contested several elections, notably winning Lok Sabha seats from New Delhi and Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat. Advani’s pivotal role in the BJP’s ascent to national prominence during the early 1990s, particularly through his Rath Yatra advocating for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, remains etched in Indian political history.
Challenges and Controversies
Advani’s tenure wasn’t without controversy, as his association with the Hawala diaries led to his resignation, despite his significant contributions to the BJP’s ideological framework. Additionally, his visit to Pakistan in 2005 stirred controversy within the Sangh Parivar when he praised Mohammed Ali Jinnah, leading to his resignation as BJP president.