Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday paid tribute to former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Chaudhary Charan Singh on his death anniversary.
V-P Radhakrishnan described Charan Singh as “a visionary leader and a tireless advocate for farmers, he dedicated his life to the welfare of the agrarian community and the upliftment of rural India. His unwavering commitment to social justice, rural development, and the empowerment of peasant communities will always be remembered.”
In a post on X, HM Shah said “Former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Chaudhary Charan Singh Ji played a pivotal role in strengthening democratic values from the freedom struggle to the Emergency period. He presented a development model for prosperous farmers and an agriculture-based economy, giving India a new direction.”
“On the death anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh Ji, who was devoted to honesty, simplicity, and the interests of farmers, millions of salutations,” he added.
Several political leaders across the country also paid homage to the former Prime Minister and remembered his contribution to farmers’ welfare, rural development and social justice.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari described Charan Singh as a “fiery leader” and a strong voice for farmers.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said Chaudhary Charan Singh brought the concerns of farmers, labourers and rural India to the centre of national discourse.
“His simple life, dedication to farmers and politics of public welfare will continue to inspire us all forever,” the UP CM said in a post on X.
CM Yogi also paid floral tribute to Charan Singh’s statue at the Vidhan Sabha in Lucknow and described him as the “Messiah of Farmers”. He said Charan Singh believed that the path to national development passed through villages and farms and consistently advocated making farmers a priority in government policy.
CM Yogi added that the Uttar Pradesh government continues to honour his legacy through several initiatives, including the Chaudhary Charan Singh Seed Park in Lucknow.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary remembered him as a strong voice for farmers and said his commitment to rural India and social justice would continue to inspire the nation.
Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary, grandson of Chaudhary Charan Singh, paid floral tribute at Kisan Ghat in New Delhi along with several political leaders.
Speaking to reporters, Chaudhary said the entire country was remembering the former Prime Minister and described visiting Kisan Ghat as a source of inspiration and peace.
“It is our responsibility to carry forward the reforms he envisioned for the country and society,” he said, while stressing that farmers must remain united so their concerns continue to be represented effectively.
Chaudhary Charan Singh, regarded as one of India’s foremost farmer leaders, was known for championing agrarian reforms and rural development. Born in 1902 in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut district to a middle-class peasant family, he began his political career with the Indian National Congress (INC) and was first elected to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 1937.
Over the course of his political career, he held several important portfolios, including Revenue, Agriculture, Home and Local Self-Government, and later served as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
He was instrumental in introducing major land reform measures, including the Debt Redemption Bill of 1939 and the Land Holding Act of 1960, both aimed at improving the condition of farmers and rural communities.
Known for his integrity, discipline and commitment to agrarian issues, Singh served as India’s fifth Prime Minister from July 1979 to January 1980.
(With agency inputs)
