The Jannayak Karpoori Thakur

<p><b>Santosh Singh </b>is a Patna-based senior assistant editor with <i>Indian Express</i> since June 2008 covering the entire state of Bihar with a focus on politics society governance and investigative and explanatory stories. Overall he has twenty-five years of experience in print journalism in Bihar Delhi Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka. His past works include <i>Ruled Or Misruled: The Story and Destiny of Bihar</i> (Bloomsbury 2015) <i>JP TO BJP</i> (Vitasta Sage Select 2021) and <i>Kitna Raaj Kitna Kaaj</i> (Vani Prakashan 2023).<br><br><b>Aditya Anmol</b> studied at the University of Chicago. He completed his master’s in public policy with honours in June 2023 with specializations in finance and policy. He has a bachelor of arts in quantitative economics with honours from New York University.</p> <p><i>The Jannayak Karpoori Thakur: Voice of the Voiceless</i> by authors Santosh Singh and Aditya Anmol commemorates the birth centenary of the revered former chief minister of Bihar who is being posthumously honoured with India's highest civilian award the Bharat Ratna in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to society. The book delves into the life legacy and enduring relevance of Karpoori Thakur popularly known as Jannayak a political luminary who left an indelible mark on the landscape of Bihar and India as a whole.<br>Focusing on his visionary politics that introduced groundbreaking concepts such as quota within quota or equity within equity this book highlights his pivotal role in bifurcating reservation among OBC EBC EWS and women in 1978—a model that significantly influenced the recommendations of the Mandal Commission. It has defined the present system of reservation in India. The book also delves into Thakur's pragmatic approach towards achieving an equitable society including his historic announcement of reservation allotment to various societal segments during his tenure as Bihar's chief minister.<br>The book features insights from political scions such as Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar providing a nuanced perspective on Thakur's socialist ideology. With a reflection on Thakur's principles at the crossroads of socialist politics the book engages in a timely debate on the concept of democratic socialism amalgamating the best ideas of political stalwarts such as Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Dr Lohia J.P. and Dr B.R. Ambedkar.<br><i>The Jannayak Karpoori Thakur</i> promises to be a beacon for readers seeking to understand the complex landscape of Indian politics and society. It also serves as a navigation guide to surmount the obstacles of poverty and overcome the challenges presented by a rigid social structure that hinders any progress in the predefined socioeconomic hierarchy.</p>