Topic 1: Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur

Why in News?

Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur was finally conferred the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour.

Who is Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur?

• He served as the Chief Minister of Bihar twice, and was known for championing the cause of Social Justice.
• He was the Bihar Chief minister twice (December 1970 to June 1971 and December 1977 to April 1979.
• Karpoori Thakur was also known as ‘Jan Nayak’ (People’s Leader) and participated in the Quit India movement, enduring several months in jail.
• His tenure as Chief Minister was marked by various pro-poor initiatives, including the implementation of land reforms and policies aimed at empowering the underprivileged.

What is Mungeri Lal commission?

• The Mungeri Lal Commission gave rise to what is now called the Karpoori Thakur formula for reservation, carving out a quota for the most backward communities.
• In 1971, the Bihar government formed the Mungerilal Commission to find out about different castes’ social and political status.
• It submitted its report to the Bihar government in 1975. The report was later presented in the Bihar Legislative Assembly by Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur in 1978.
• Following this, in 1979, the central government formed the Mandal Commission.

What is Karpoori Formula?

In 1978, Karpoori Thakur and created quotas in government jobs for EBC, BCs , women and poor among the upper caste. The Karpoori Formula also gave women a share of 3 per cent and reserved another 3 per cent seats for the poor from the upper castes. It, therefore, tried to accommodate all sections of society.

• The Janata Party government of Thakur implemented the recommendations of the Mungeri Lal Commission.
• The ‘Karpoori Thakur Formula’ provided 26% reservation, of which OBCs got a 12% share, the economically backward classes among the OBCs got 8%, women got 3%, and the poor from the “upper castes” got 3%.

• This was much before the central government came up with the EWS quota (Economically Weaker Section), and demands of layered reservation gained momentum amid caste census demands.

Topic 2: BHARAT RATNA

What is Bharat Ratna?

‘Bharat Ratna’, the highest civilian Award of the country, was instituted in the year 1954. It is awarded in recognition of exceptional service/performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavour.

What are the criteria to receive Bharat Ratna?

Any person without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex is eligible for these awards. It is awarded in recognition of exceptional service/performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavour.

What are the conditions attached with Bharat Ratna?

• The number of annual awards is restricted to a maximum of three in a particular year.
• The Award does not carry any monetary grant
• The award cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to the recipient’s name. It’s in terms with Article 18 (1) of the Constitution.
• The recommendations for Bharat Ratna are made by the Prime Minister himself to the President.

What are the Important Facts about Bharat Ratna Recipient?

• The holders of Bharat Ratna rank 7th in the Indian order of precedence.
• Till now it has been given to 49 persons and 15 are awarded posthumously.
• Prominent foreigner recipient are Abdul Gaffar Khan & Nelson Mandela.