Advani, who has been an influential figure in Indian politics, especially within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), conveyed his sentiments, saying, “Not only an honour for me as a person but also for ideals and principles that I strove to serve.”
He reflected on his journey, emphasizing that since joining the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), he has sought reward solely in the dedicated and selfless service of his beloved country, embracing any task life assigned to him.
Advani extended his sincere thanks to President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi for bestowing the prestigious Bharat Ratna upon him. The recognition comes as a culmination of his longstanding commitment to Indian politics and his significant role in shaping the political landscape over the decades.
Born on November 8, 1927, 96-year-old Advani served as the 7th Deputy Prime Minister of India from 2002 to 2004. He is the longest serving minister of home affairs serving from 1998 to 2004. He is also the longest serving Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. He was the prime ministerial candidate of the BJP during the 2009 general election.
The Prime Minister took to his personal X handle to announce the highest civilian award for LK Advani and informed that he also congratulated the party veteran on being conferred with the nation’s highest civilian honour.
“I am very happy to share that LK Advani will be conferred the Bharat Ratna. I also spoke to him and congratulated him on being conferred this honour..,” PM Narendra Modi tweeted.
Notably, Bharat Ratna is the nation’s highest civilian award, given as a mark of recognition for exceptional & distinguished service.
Advani is widely credited as one of the tallest leaders who scripted BJP’s rise from ‘oblivion to prominence’. It was after his Rath Yatra in 1990s that catapulted the saffron party into national politics.
For the unversed, LK Advani is the second BJP stalwart to be conferred with Bharat Ratna. Prior to him, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was also honored with Bharat Ratna in 2015.
Meanwhile, several political leaders welcomed the Centre’s decision to confer Bharat Ratna on veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani.
Union home minister Amit Shah hailed the decision to award Bharat Ratna to BJP veteran L K Advani and said he has served the country and the countrymen selflessly throughout his life.
In a post on ‘X’ in Hindi, Shah also said that holding various constitutional responsibilities like the office of the Deputy prime minister, Advani did unprecedented work for the security, unity and integrity of the country with his strong leadership.
“Extremely happy with the announcement of awarding ‘Bharat Ratna’ to our senior leader and former Deputy Prime Minister of the country, respected Shri Lal Krishna Advani. Advani ji has been dedicated to serving the country and his countrymen selflessly throughout his life,” Shah said.
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday spoke to BJP stalwart and former deputy PM LK Advani over the phone and congratulated him after his name was announced as a recipient of the Bharat Ratna.
Noting that Advani’s contribution to nation-building is inspiring, Kumar said he had the opportunity to work with him in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.
“The CM extended his best wishes to Advani-ji for the central government’s decision to confer Bharat Ratna award to him. He spoke to Advani-ji over the phone and extended his heartiest congratulations to him,” said a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
Former CM and BJP stalwart B S Yediyurappa hailed the decision. “If there is Ram Temple in Ayodhya today then it is because of Lal Krishna Advani. Advani was present when Babri Masjid was demolished,” he told reporters. Yediyurappa said he was fortunate to attend the public meeting Advani had addressed during the demolition of Babri Masjid. Everyone is happy with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement to bestow Bharat Ratna on Advani, he added.
JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy extended his greetings to the veteran BJP leader. “Heartfelt congratulations to senior politician, BJP stalwart, and former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, who has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Bharat Ratna,’ the country’s highest civilian award,” Kumaraswamy said on ‘X’. “Thanks to the central government and Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi for recognising and announcing this well-deserved award for a person of such high distinction. Advani is an inspiration to all, embodying loyalty, commitment, friendliness, and hard work in Indian politics. I extend my best wishes to him,” he added.
Pejavar Math seer Vishwa Prasanna Teertha in Udupi lauded the government’s move. He called Advani a representative of value-based politics who maintained the dignity of the offices he held. Vishwa Prasanna Teertha said Advani had led the Ayodhya Ram temple movement in the early 1990, which finally culminated in the temple coming up there, he added.