'Honour For Me, My Ideas And Principles': LK Advani On Bharat Ratna

In response to the Bharat Ratna award bestowed upon him on Saturday, veteran BJP leader LK Advani issued an official statement expressing that the honour is accepted by him with utmost humility and gratitude.

The award is acknowledged not only for him as an individual but also for the ideals and principles that he has striven to serve throughout his life to the best of his ability.

Photo Credit: PTI

Official statement by LK Advani on Bharat Ratna

In an official statement issued, Advani wrote, "With utmost humility and gratitude, I accept the 'Bharat Ratna' that has been conferred on me today. It is not only an honour for me as a person, but also for the ideals and principles that I have strobe to serve throughout my life to the best of my ability..."

Further, he added, "Ever since the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh welcomed me as its volunteer, a singular focus has been maintained, wherein reward is sought only in the dedicated and selfless service rendered to my beloved country, irrespective of the tasks assigned to me in life."

Lal Krishna Advani, a prominent figure in the BJP who played a pivotal role in bringing the party to national prominence through his Rath Yatra advocating for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya in the early 1990s, was honoured with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, on Saturday.

Regarding the award conferred to Advani, BJP leader and PM Narendra Modi said, "The Bharat Ratna will be conferred upon Shri LK Advani Ji, and I have also spoken to him, extending my congratulations for being bestowed with this honour."

During the announcement of the honour for the veteran, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the monumental role played by LK Advani in India's development, hailing him as one of the most esteemed statesmen in the country.

"One of the most respected statesmen of our times, his contribution to the development of India is monumental. His is a life that started from working at the grassroots to serving the nation as our Deputy Prime Minister. He distinguished himself as our Home Minister and I&B Minister as well..." the PM added.

Hailing from Karachi, LK Advani relocated to India following the partition and resided in Bombay. He became a member of the RSS at the age of fourteen in 1941. In 1951, LK Advani joined the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, founded by BJP icon Syama Prasad Mookerjee, which served as the political precursor to the BJP.

Advani secured his first term in the Rajya Sabha in 1970 and served in the upper house for four terms until 1989. In 1990, the initiation of the Ram Rath Yatra by LK Advani to advocate for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, starting from Somnath in Gujarat and concluding in Ayodhya, gained widespread support.

In the 1991 general elections, the BJP, which had previously played a minor role in national politics, emerged as the second-largest party in the parliament after the Congress.