Overview

Karpoori Thakur, often called Jannayak, was a legendary leader from Bihar who had a significant impact on India’s politics. In early 2024, he was posthumously honoured with the Bharat Ratna in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to society. Commemorating his birth centenary, this gripping biography brings to light the life, legacy and enduring relevance of Thakur. It focuses on Karpoori Thakur’s politics, which introduced ‘quota within quota’ and opens a window to his role in bifurcating reservation among the backward classes and women in 1978.

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9780143467335

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"An essential work on a most essential leader; can't be bypassed by those who seek to know Bihar.--Sankarshan Thakur Karpoori Thakur was a legend in my childhood, the fulcrum of social transformation in Bihar and beyond, and this detailed book gives substance and depth to what were only memories.--Amitava Kumar Santosh Singh, with Aditya Anmol, blends his formidable journalistic acumen with academic rigour to explain a founding father of affirmative action in post-Independence India. In its brilliant and incisive study of Karpoori Thakur, this book is a must-read for all who want to understand the post-Mandal politics around caste and reservation -- an enduring story of change, empowerment and competition. With this book, Singh establishes himself as one of the foremost chroniclers of politics and society in contemporary Bihar.--Raj Kamal Jha ""The Indian Express"" This book could not have been more timely--with renewed interest in socialist icon Karpoori Thakur, a 'Ratna' of 'Bharat'. A fascinating story of what makes a leader, the book gives new insights into the phenomenal rise of the OBCs in Indian politics.--Neerja Chowdhury, Contributing Editor, The Indian Express and author of How Prime Ministers Decide"

Santosh Singh, with Aditya Anmol, blends his formidable journalistic acumen with academic rigour to explain a founding father of affirmative action in post-Independence India. In its brilliant and incisive study of Karpoori Thakur, this book is a must-read for all who want to understand the post-Mandal politics around caste and reservation -- an enduring story of change, empowerment and competition. With this book, Singh establishes himself as one of the foremost chroniclers of politics and society in contemporary Bihar. - Raj Kamal Jha (The Indian Express) This book could not have been more timely—with renewed interest in socialist icon Karpoori Thakur , a 'Ratna' of 'Bharat'. A fascinating story of what makes a leader , the book gives new insights into the phenomenal rise of the OBCs in Indian politics. - Neerja Chowdhury, Contributing Editor, The Indian Express and author of How Prime Ministers Decide An essential work on a most essential leader; can't be bypassed by those who seek to know Bihar. - Sankarshan Thakur Karpoori Thakur was a legend in my childhood, the fulcrum of social transformation in Bihar and beyond, and this detailed book gives substance and depth to what were only memories. - Amitava Kumar

Santosh Singh, with Aditya Anmol, blends his formidable journalistic acumen with academic rigour to explain a founding father of affirmative action in post-Independence India. In its brilliant and incisive study of Karpoori Thakur, this book is a must-read for all who want to understand the post-Mandal politics around caste and reservation -- an enduring story of change, empowerment and competition. With this book, Singh establishes himself as one of the foremost chroniclers of politics and society in contemporary Bihar.--Raj Kamal Jha ""The Indian Express""

Author Information

Santosh Singh is a Patna-based senior assistant editor with The Indian Express 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. Aditya Anmol studied at the University of Chicago. He completed his Master’s in Public Policy with Honors in June 2023, with specializations in Finance and Policy. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Quantitative Economics with Honors from New York University.

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