New Delhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday paid rich tributes to Bihar’s former Chief Minister and freedom fighter Bhola Paswan Shastri on his birth anniversary. Shastri, remembered for his simplicity and honesty, was the first person from the Scheduled Castes to serve as Bihar’s Chief Minister, holding the office three times between 1968 and 1971.
Rahul Gandhi took to X to post his homage. Salutations on the birth anniversary of Bihar’s former Chief Minister and great freedom fighter, Bhola Paswan Shastri Ji, he wrote. The Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition added that Shastri embodied the values of social justice and equality. Coming from the Dalit community, Bhola Paswan Ji was a true Congressman, an honest politician, and a dedicated Gandhian, who always raised his voice for social justice, education, and equal opportunities. His life and spirit of public service are an inspiration for all of us, Gandhi said.
Born on September 21, 1914, in Bairgacchi village of Bihar, Shastri rose from a humble background to graduate from Kashi Vidyapith in Varanasi, where he earned the title Shastri. Deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, he actively participated in the freedom movement and was jailed several times.
Shastri was first elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly in 1952. He went on to serve as Chief Minister thrice: March–June 1968, June–July 1969, and June 1971–January 1972. Later, he became a Rajya Sabha member, Union Minister for Urban Development, and in 1978, the first Chairman of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission.
Respected for his incorruptibility and devotion to public service, Bhola Paswan Shastri passed away on September 10, 1984.
