It was not something that was not anticipated! PM Modi has finally answered the second most unsaid but determined growing call among the BJP circle to honor the veteran leader Lal Krishna Advani with the India’s highest civilian award- Bharat Ratna. Since the consecration of the Ram Lalla temple on January 22, 2024, ending five hundred years wait of countrymen, another pivotal decision that was being awaited by the BJP and its allies was the honoring of once a stalwart of the Ram Mandir temple movement, LK Advani, with the highest award. As soon as the news broke, the social media was flooded with strong reactions, with some clearly pointing out it was for dharma protection (in veiled reference his association with the Ram Mandir temple movement) that he has been bestowed upon. Significantly, Lal Krishna Advani was at the helm of the BJP when he spearheaded the temple movement across the nation IN 1990.
In a social media post today, PM Modi shared his heartful remarks regarding this decision to bestow the highest civilian award upon LK Advani. “I am very happy to share that Shri LK Advani Ji will be conferred with the Bharat Ratna. I also spoke to him and congratulated him on being conferred this honor. One of the most respected statesmen of our times, his contribution to the development of India is monumental. His is a life that started from working at the grassroot to serving the nation as our Deputy Prime Minister. He distinguished himself as our Home Minister and I&B Minister as well. His Parliamentary interventions have always been exemplary, full of rich insights.”
Prime Minister Modi further added, “Advani Ji’s decades-long service in public life has been marked by an unwavering commitment to transparency and integrity, setting an exemplary standard in political ethics. He has made unparalleled efforts towards furthering national unity and cultural resurgence. The conferring of the Bharat Ratna on him is a very emotional moment for me. I will always consider it my privilege that I got countless opportunities to interact with him and learn from him.” A vast range of reactions were also noted from the ruling Ministers and the veterans from the party and the allies themselves.
Significantly, apart from his contribution to “lok shakti”, the stalwart also held a major share in spearheading the nation through his political roles. Lal Krishna Advani’s illustrious political career spans various significant roles. He entered the Rajya Sabha in April 1970 and later became the President of Bharatiya Jana Sangh in December 1972. From March 1977 to July 1979, he held the position of Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting.
In May 1986, Advani took on the role of Party President of the BJP, followed by serving as General Secretary from 1980 to 1986. He was officially announced as the Party President in May 1986 and re-elected in March 1988. Advani also served as the Home Minister in the BJP Government in 1988. Later, from October 1999 to May 2004, he served as the Union Cabinet Minister for Home Affairs. In June 2002, Advani became the Deputy Prime Minister of India, the pinnacle of his political career.
It is inevitable to consider that the veteran BJP leader’s association with the Ram Mandir movment remains the most significant and conflicting part of his political journey. Once in a statement to a magazine, the former Deputy Prime Minister said, “The Rath Yatra of the 1990’s for the establishment of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya was the most decisive and the transformative event of my political career.”
Roared with “Mandir Wahin Banayenge” slogan, in its 10,000-kilometres’-long journey, traversed from Gujarat’s Somnath towards Ayodhya, Advani found resonance in a huge number of Hindus who gathered to accompany him on his “quest for undoing a historic wrong”. However, the Yatra could not meet the expected end. Later, Advani and his associates were stopped and arrested in Samastipur in October 1990. Two years later, the Babri Masjid was demolished in 1992 by Kar Sevaks who had assembled in Ayodhya from across the country. The incident led to the most devastating situation, while also claiming thousands of innocent lives in massacre. Advani had described the incident as the “saddest day of my life”.
Indeed, throughout his multifaceted political career, Advani’s contributions and decisions have shaped the course of Indian politics, making him a figure of both admiration and controversy, and ultimately leading to his recognition with the Bharat Ratna.
