NEW DELHI: Two Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MPs in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday urged the Union Government to posthumously confer Bharat Ratna on tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda and former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik.
Raising the matter during Zero Hour, BJD MP Muzibulla Khan called upon the Centre to honour Biju Patnaik with India’s highest civilian award in recognition of his significant contributions to the freedom movement and nation-building.
Khan highlighted that Patnaik had actively participated in the struggle against British rule and extended crucial support to freedom fighters. He further noted that Biju Patnaik established Kalinga Airlines, India’s first private airline, which played a unique role during the independence movement.
According to Khan, Patnaik used his aircraft to discreetly transport freedom fighters and provide logistical assistance across different regions, thereby making a vital yet often overlooked contribution to the cause of independence. Emphasising his legacy, Khan urged the government to consider his exemplary service to the nation while deciding on the conferment of the Bharat Ratna.
Similarly, another BJD MP, Niranjan Bishi, advocated for the Bharat Ratna to be awarded posthumously to Birsa Munda. He described Munda as a towering tribal leader and freedom fighter who dedicated his life to resisting colonial oppression and fighting for the rights and dignity of indigenous communities.
Bishi underscored that Birsa Munda’s role in mobilising tribal resistance and his enduring influence on India’s freedom struggle make him a deserving candidate for the nation’s highest civilian honour. He stated that recognising Munda would also be a tribute to the contributions of tribal communities in India’s history.
Both MPs collectively appealed to the government to acknowledge the extraordinary sacrifices and contributions of these two personalities by conferring the Bharat Ratna upon them, thereby paying due homage to their enduring legacy.