Bharat Ratna LK Advani Ji at 100!
Mint - Opinion · Published 8 November 2026 · Last updated
Advani's centenary reignites debate over his nation‑first legacy versus accusations of fostering communal politics in modern India.
Key points
- L.K. Advani turned 100 on 8 November 2026, coinciding with Diwali and the 75th anniversary of the Jana Sangh.
- He was conferred the Bharat Ratna in 2024 for his contributions to Indian politics and public life.
- Advani served as BJP President (1989‑1996), during which the party grew from 400 to under 200 seats in 1989 and became the single largest party in 1996.
- He led the Somnath‑to‑Ayodhya Rath Yatra in 1990, a pivotal event in the Ram‑Temple movement.
- During the Emergency (1975‑77) he was imprisoned; his experiences are recorded in *A Prisoner’s Scrap‑Book*.
- He held the offices of Minister for Information and Broadcasting (1977‑79) and Deputy Prime Minister & Home Minister (2002‑04), introducing a tough anti‑terror law.
- Advani’s parliamentary career began in 1970; he served as Leader of Opposition in both houses and represented Gandhinagar multiple times.
- His writings and party resolutions are cited as enduring references for the BJP’s ideological framework.
Background
- The Jana Sangh was founded in 1951 by Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee; Advani joined its ranks in the 1960s.
- The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) celebrated its centenary in 2025, marking a century of its influence on right‑wing politics.
- The 1990 Rath Yatra triggered nationwide communal tensions and set the stage for the 1992 Ayodhya demolition.
- The Emergency (June 1975‑March 1977) saw suspension of civil liberties; Advani’s imprisonment highlighted opposition resistance.
- The BJP’s rise from a marginal party in the 1980s to national prominence in the 1990s reshaped India’s party system.
UPSC relevance, Prelims facts and Mains angle for this issue are in the full SWAदेSH note.
Original report: Mint - Opinion