President Droupadi Murmu bestowed the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour in the country, upon BJP stalwart and former deputy prime minister LK Advani at his residence on Sunday.
The ceremony was attended by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Advani's family members, as stated by the Rashtrapati Bhavan in a post on X.
Prime Minister Modi sat beside Advani as the President presented the veteran leader with the Bharat Ratna.
Read more: Bharat Ratna: President Murmu confers awards on former PMs Narasimha Rao, Charan Singh and two others
Modi remarked on X that it was particularly special to witness the conferment of the Bharat Ratna on Advani, highlighting that this honour recognises his enduring contributions to the nation's progress.
"His dedication to public service and pivotal role in shaping modern India has left an indelible mark on our history. I am proud to have had the opportunity to work with him very closely over the last several decades," the prime minister said.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan lauded Advani as a veteran figure in Indian politics, noting his unwavering dedication and distinguished service to the nation over seven decades. The Bhavan described him as a parliamentarian, highlighting his emphasis on dialogue, which enhanced parliamentary traditions.
In a series of posts on X, it was mentioned that whether serving as Home Minister or Deputy Prime Minister, Advani consistently prioritised national interest, earning him respect and admiration from members across party lines.
"His long and tireless struggle for India's cultural regeneration culminated in the reconstruction of Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya in 2024," it said.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan asserted that among the select few post-independence political leaders who successfully reshaped the national agenda towards development, Advani's achievements exemplify India's genius and inclusive traditions. Pictures of the ceremony were shared on X.
Born in Karachi (now in Pakistan) in 1927, Advani migrated to India during Partition in 1947.
The 96-year-old BJP stalwart served as Deputy Prime Minister from June 2002 to May 2004 and as Union Home Minister from October 1999 to May 2004. He held the position of BJP president multiple times, from 1986 to 1990, 1993 to 1998, and 2004 to 2005.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan highlighted that, with his vision of cultural nationalism, Advani diligently worked across the nation for decades, transforming the socio-political landscape.
"When Emergency put India's democracy at risk, the indefatigable crusader in him helped guard it against authoritarian tendencies," it said in the post.
As the information and broadcasting minister in the Janata Party government (1977-79), Advani was instrumental in restoring democracy by dismantling the Emergency's antidemocratic legal edifice, reads the profile of the veteran leader shared by the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
His contribution at the time was as intellectually inspiring as politically impactful.
A high point in Advani's political life was spearheading the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in the late 1980s, which laid the foundation for the revival of cultural nationalism.
"His struggle culminated in the reconstruction of the magnificent Shri Ram temple in Ayodhya in 2024, thus fulfilling the decades-old aspirations of countless Indians," it said.
During his tenure as India's home minister, Advani introduced the most comprehensive reforms in the country's national security system. He took a proactive and uncompromising approach to countering cross-border terrorism and made sincere and consistent efforts to bring peace to Kashmir.
His emphasis on harmonious centre-state relations resulted in carving three new states -- Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand.
Advani's eventful political life will be remembered for his determined and diligent pursuit of core enduring ideals such as the defence of democracy, cultural nationalism and clean politics, according to the profile of the veteran leader shared by the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
During his fight against Emergency (1975-77), Advani spent 19 months in Bangalore's central jail.
His book A Prisoner's Scrap-Book (1977) is praised globally as one of the best works of prison literature, the profile stated, adding that Advani has always set exemplary standards in political ethics.
Regarded as a statesman who combines intellectualism, integrity, and mass appeal, Advani has been an avid reader and prolific writer. In 2015, he was conferred Padma Vibhushan, the country's second-highest civilian award, for his exceptional service in public life.
This year, the government announced five Bharat Ratna awards -- one to Advani and four posthumously to former prime ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh, agriculture scientist MS Swaminathan and two-time former Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur.
Rao, Singh, Swaminathan and Thakur's kin received the award from the president on Saturday at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
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