Lal Krishna Advani, a veteran politician and a stalwart leader of the Bhartiya Janata Party, has been conferred with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 3, 2024.
Born in Karachi, present-day Pakistan, on November 8, 1927, Advani experienced the trauma of the partition of India and dedicated his life to the cause of nation-building. He joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as a pracharak (full-time worker) and later became one of the founding members of the BJP, along with Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Advani served as the president of the BJP for the longest period, from 1986 to 1991, and again from 1993 to 1998. He transformed the party from a marginal player with only two Lok Sabha seats in 1984 to a formidable force with 120 seats in 1991 and 182 seats in 1998. He also served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha from 1998 to 2004 and from 2009 to 2014.
He is widely regarded as an individual of great intellectual ability, strong principles, and unwavering support for the idea of a strong and prosperous India. As confirmed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Advani has “never compromised on his core belief in nationalism, and yet has displayed flexibility in political responses whenever it was demanded by the situation”.
He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and respected leaders of the BJP, who mentored and groomed many of its prominent members. He is also credited with expanding the party’s base and appeal across the country, especially among the urban middle class and the youth. He coined the slogan “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas” (Together with all, development for all, trust of all), which became the guiding principle of the Modi government.
The Bharat Ratna, which literally means “Jewel of India”, was instituted in 1954 to honour the highest degree of national service rendered by any individual in any field of human endeavor. The award comprises a peepal leaf-shaped medallion with a platinum emblem of the sun and the words “Bharat Ratna” inscribed on it. The award is conferred by the President of India on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. Some of the previous recipients of the award include Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajendra Prasad, C. Rajagopalachari, Bhagwan Das, M. Visvesvaraya, Vallabhbhai Patel, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, C.V. Raman, Rajiv Gandhi, Abdul Kalam, Sachin Tendulkar, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
L.K. Advani was chosen for this honour in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the nation as a parliamentarian, a minister, a party leader, and a statesman. His political journey spans over seven decades, and his contributions have been instrumental in the nation’s progress and development. Advani’s early years were marked by a fervent dedication to the ideals of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a nationalist organization that he joined at the age of 14. He was deeply influenced by the RSS leaders such as M.S. Golwalkar and Deendayal Upadhyaya, who instilled in him a sense of patriotism, discipline, and service.
Advani’s association with the Janata Party and the BJP was significant in establishing a strong conservative presence in Indian politics. He was one of the founding members of the BJP in 1980, along with Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who became his lifelong friend and mentor. He served as the president of the BJP for six terms and led the party to several electoral victories. He was also the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha for three terms.
He also played a vital role in expanding the BJP’s alliance base and forming the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) with regional parties. He served as the deputy prime minister and home minister in the Vajpayee-led NDA government from 1998 to 2004 and made several notable achievements, such as conducting the Pokhran-II nuclear tests, launching the Lahore bus service, initiating the peace process with Pakistan, overseeing the Kargil war victory, implementing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), and initiating the Bharat Nirman programme for rural development.
As the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India, Advani played a pivotal role in strengthening national security and law enforcement. His tenure saw significant strides in modernizing the police force and addressing critical issues such as terrorism and insurgency. He was instrumental in launching the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) in 2002, which gave the authorities more powers to combat terrorism. He also established the National Security Council, the National Investigation Agency, and the National Disaster Management Authority to enhance the country’s preparedness and response to various threats and emergencies.
His pragmatic approach and decisive actions during this period contributed to the nation’s stability and security. He was widely praised for his handling of the Kargil War in 1999, where he coordinated the successful military operation to evict the Pakistani intruders from the Indian Territory. He was also lauded for his role in the Pokhran nuclear tests in 1998, where he supported the decision to conduct the nuclear explosions that demonstrated India’s scientific and strategic prowess.
Beyond politics, Advani is known for his commitment to parliamentary democracy and his advocacy for constructive debates. As a parliamentarian, he consistently emphasized the importance of democratic values and the need for meaningful dialogue to address the challenges facing the nation. He is widely respected for his oratory skills, his ideological convictions, his strategic vision, his mentorship, and his integrity. He has influenced and inspired many political leaders and activists, such as Narendra Modi, Pramod Mahajan, Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj, and Amit Shah.
Advani has received several awards and honours for his public service, such as the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award of India, in 2015, the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award in 1999, and the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Indian politics in 2016. He has also authored several books, such as My Country My Life, A Prisoner’s Scrap-Book, and The BJP: A Political Biography.
The Bharat Ratna is not merely an acknowledgment of Advani’s political career but also recognition of his statesmanship and dedication to the service of the nation.
In conferring the Bharat Ratna upon L.K. Advani, the government honours not just an individual, but a symbol of steadfast leadership, conviction, and service to the nation. Advani’s legacy will continue to inspire generations, and the award stands as a fitting tribute to a statesman who has played a vital role in shaping the destiny of Bharat.
(Author is Professor and the Chairman, Centre for Narendra Modi Studies (CNMS). Former Head & Group Editor, Roznama Rashtriya Sahara (National Urdu Daily) & Aalami Sahara TV (Urdu News Channel, Former Media Advisor, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. Email: [email protected])
