President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor, upon veteran BJP leader LK Advani during a formal ceremony held at his residence in Delhi on Sunday.
The event was attended by several dignitaries including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the family members of LK Advani.
In a statement shared by Rashtrapati Bhavan, Advani was lauded as a stalwart of Indian politics who dedicated over seven decades of his life to serving the nation with unwavering dedication and distinction. Born in Karachi in 1927, Advani migrated to India in 1947 amidst the partition. Throughout his illustrious career, he championed the cause of cultural nationalism and played a pivotal role in reshaping the socio-political landscape of the country.
During the Emergency period, Advani emerged as an indefatigable crusader for democracy, guarding it against authoritarian tendencies and upholding parliamentary traditions through an emphasis on dialogue. As a parliamentarian, Home Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister, he consistently prioritized the national interest, earning widespread respect and admiration across party lines.
One of his notable achievements was the reconstruction of the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya in 2024, marking the culmination of his long and tireless struggle for India's cultural regeneration. Advani's leadership and accomplishments stand as a testament to the genius of India and its inclusive traditions, firmly placing him among the few post-Independence political leaders who reshaped the national agenda and propelled it towards development.
LK Advani, aged 96, served as the Deputy Prime Minister from June 2002 to May 2004 and as the Union Home Minister from October 1999 to May 2004. He also held the position of BJP president multiple times, from 1986 to 1990, 1993 to 1998, and 2004 to 2005.
