Karpoori Thakur

Karpoori Thakur, also known as Jan Nayak was a prominent political figure from Bihar. He pursued law from Patna University where he got involved in social and political activities in the country. He began his political career as a member of Indian national congress and was elected as the 11th chief minister of Bihar in 1970. As the chief minister of Bihar he brought many administrative and political reforms in the state. He was considered a leader of marginalised communities. He proposed a layered reservation system also known as the Karpoori Thakur formula for SCs, STs, backward castes and economically weaker sections. His formula also influenced the Mandal Commission report later which advocated for 27% reservation for Backward castes. His government also took initiatives for land reforms, empowerment of women, banning of alcohol in state, promotion of Hindi language etc. Recently, on the occasion of his 100th birth anniversary, the President of India announced to honour him posthumously with the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of India. This will inspire the political leaders in future to work towards a more just and prosperous Indian society.

Karpuri Thakur was born on January 24, 1924, in Pitaunjhia village, in the Samastipur district of Bihar, India. He faced many financial constraints during his childhood. Despite financial constraints, Karpuri Thakur managed to pursue his education. He obtained a Bachelor's degree in Law (LLB) from Patna University. Then he got involved in social and political activities. He was influenced by the ideas of Gandhi ji and Indian National Congress. He began his political career as a member of the Indian National Congress.

Karpoori Thakur, also known as Jan Nayak was a prominent political figure in Indian history. He served as the Chief Minister of Bihar and during his tenure took many inspiring initiatives to improve the socio-political landscape of the nation. His farsighted visionary ideas still inspire the policies of the governments. Recently in January, 2024 the government decided to honour him with the Bharat Ratna in recognition of his contributions towards the society.

• Karpoori Thakur entered into Indian politics in 1952 and served as the legislator until 1985.
• Karpori Thakur served as the 11th Chief Minister of Bihar state.
• He served the position for two terms. His first term was from December 14, 1970, to June 22, 1971, and his second term was from December 28, 1977, to April 17, 1979.
• As the Chief Minister of Bihar, he implemented several key initiatives aimed at promoting social justice, economic development, and good governance.

1. Reservation for Backward classes :
   • Karpoori Thakur advocated for the advancement of backward classes. He himself belong to Nai community which is one of the backward castes.
   • Karpuri Thakur's "Layered Reservation System," also known as the "Karpoori Thakur Formula," was a pioneering initiative aimed at addressing the complex issue of caste-based reservations in government jobs and educational institutions in Bihar.
   • The three layers of reservation under Karpoori formula were :
     • The first layer reserved a certain percentage of seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) which were historically socially and economically disadvantaged communities.
     • The second layer reserved seats for Other Backward Classes (OBCs), who also faced socio-economic disadvantages.
     • The third layer was for economically weaker sections (EWS) from upper castes.
   • In 1978, he introduced his model in Bihar, allocating 26% reservations to Backward classes, women and Economically weaker sections.
     • His formula also inspired the 27% reservation advocated for Backward classes under the Mandal Commission report.


2. Land reforms :
   • Thakur's government initiated measures to redistribute land to landless and marginal farmers.
   • The government enacted land ceiling laws to limit the maximum amount of land that an individual or family could own to prevent the concentration of land resources.
   • He also introduced reforms to protect the rights of tenant farmers and sharecroppers which included provisions to regulate rent and to ensure fair treatment to tenant farmers by the landowners.
   • His government also promoted cooperative farming to improve productivity and livelihoods in rural areas.


3. Ban on alcohol :
   • Karpoori Thakur’s government introduced a Prohibition policy in Bihar to ban the sale, consumption, and production of alcohol in the state.
   • Alcohol was banned to address the social, economic, and health issues associated with alcoholism.
   • He aimed to redirect resources previously spent on alcohol consumption towards more productive investments in healthcare, education, and socio-economic development.


4. Administrative reforms:
   • Karpoori Thakur undertook efforts to streamline bureaucratic procedures to make government services more efficient and accessible to the people.
   • He also implemented strict enforcements of the anti corruption law to curb corruption.
   • His government also promoted decentralisation by empowering local government bodies such as panchayats and municipalities.
   • His government also took measures to strengthen the police force and improve crime detection and prevention.


5. Promotion of Hindi
   • Karpoori Thakur's government promoted the use of Hindi as the official language of Bihar in government offices and official communications.
   • The education in the Hindi language in Bihar’s schools and colleges was also promoted.
   • His government also organized many literary festivals, cultural events, and awards to promote Hindi literature.

• Education Reforms :
  • Thakur's government focused on expanding educational infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
  • The government also emphasised on girl’s education.
  • Thakur's administration invested in improving school facilities, including classrooms, libraries, laboratories, sanitation facilities and also teachers’ training.
  • His government also took initiatives to promote vocational education and skill development to enhance employability and entrepreneurship among students.


• Women Empowerment Programs
  • Karpoori Thakur's government implemented schemes to promote economic empowerment among women, including skill development programs, microfinance initiatives, and support for women's self-help groups (SHGs).
  • His government also promoted legal awareness among women regarding their rights against social evils such as domestic violence, dowry harassment etc.
  • His government also introduced measures to support working women, including maternity benefits, childcare facilities, and workplace safety regulations.


• Pension Schemes :
  • Karpoori Thakur ‘s government implemented several schemes regarding pensions to provide financial assistance and social security to vulnerable sections of society such as the Old Age Pension Scheme and Widow Pension scheme.

• Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award of India. It was initiated in 1954 to recognise the achievements in the fields of arts, literature, science, and public service.
• Later, in 2011, the criteria were revised to include "any field of human endeavor" and the eligibility criteria were expanded to include "distinguished service of a high order."
• Recipients of the Bharat Ratna are honored with a medal, a certificate, and a cash award.
• Recently, in January 2024, President of India announced that the Bharat Ratna would be posthumously awarded to the former Chief Minister of Bihar, Karpoori Thakur. This announcement was made during the 3-days celebration in Bihar to mark his birth centenary.

Karpoori Thakur was a visionary leaders India’s democratic political history has witnessed. His tenure as Chief Minister of Bihar left a lasting impact on the state's socio-economic landscape. Through his progressive policies and unwavering commitment to social justice, he worked tirelessly to uplift the marginalized and disadvantaged communities and to bring social and economic equality in the state. Recent announcement to honour him with the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of the nation, will inspire the political leaders in future to work towards a more just and prosperous Indian society.