Karpoori Thakur was a legendary figure in Indian politics, who rose from humble origins to become a two-time Chief Minister of Bihar and a champion of social justice. He was born on January 24, 1924, in a small village in Samastipur district of Bihar, to a poor farmer and barber family. He belonged to the Nai community, which was considered as one of the most backward and oppressed sections of society. He was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and his ideals of truth, non-violence, and social service. He also came under the influence of Satyanarayan Sinha, a freedom fighter and a socialist leader, who mentored him and encouraged him to pursue higher education.
Thakur completed his graduation from Bihar Vidyapeeth, a nationalist university founded by Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India. He joined the Patna Law College to study law, but he could not complete his degree, as he was arrested for his participation in the Quit India Movement, a mass civil disobedience campaign launched by Gandhi against British rule in 1942. He spent 26 months in prison for his involvement in the independence movement. After India gained independence, Thakur worked as a teacher in his village's school. He became a member of the Bihar Vidhan Sabha in 1952 from Tajpur constituency as a Socialist Party candidate. He was arrested for leading P & T employees during the general strike of the Central Government employees in 1960. In 1970, he undertook a fast unto death for 28 days to promote the cause of Telco labourers.
Thakur served as a minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, before becoming the first non- Congress socialist Chief Minister of Bihar in 1970. He also enforced total prohibition of alcohol in Bihar. During his reign, many schools and colleges were established in his name in the backward areas of Bihar. He was a votary of Hindi language, and as the education minister of Bihar, he removed English as the compulsory subject for the matriculation curriculum. He was popularly known as Jan Nayak (people's hero). He implemented land reforms, championed minimum wages, and fought for social justice, earning his reputation for integrity and a life dedicated to uplifting the downtrodden. He passed away in February 1988, due to a heart attack.
On January 23, 2024, days before Republic Day, he was posthumously awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, by the Government of India, as announced by the President of India Draupadi Murmu. He was honoured on his 100th birth anniversary, for his contributions to Bihar and the nation. He is widely respected and remembered as a trendsetter in Bihar politics and a role model for the underprivileged.