Page 50 - NIS English 16-30 September, 2025

PERSONALITY | Bhola Paswan Shastri

A Paragon of

Bihar’s Politics

The legacy of Bhola Paswan Shastri, who is a symbol of
truth, loyalty, simplicity, and sacrifice, is still relevant.
Born into a very poor family, Shastri is also called the
‘Videh of Bihar’s politics’, who reached new heights
despite coming from a humble background. He studied
Sanskrit when it was considered the language of the Birth: 21 September 1914
upper castes. Shastri, who went to jail during the Death: 9 September 1984
freedom movement, was the Chief Minister of the state
three times, but spent his entire life in penury, yet did
not let any stain come on his probity…

hola Paswan Shastri, a son of Bihar’s soil, who Bhola Paswan Shastri became the Chief Minister
was a symbol of simplicity and honesty, has the of Bihar for the first time in 1968. However, he could
Bdistinction of being the first Dalit Chief Minister hold on to the post for only three months. He again
of the state. Bhola Paswan Shastri, who dedicated became the Chief Minister for 13 days in 1969 and
his life to the welfare of farmers and laborers, had for 7 months in 1971. Along with state politics, he
such simplicity that even while being a minister and was also active in central politics. Despite holding
Chief Minister, he used to do his work comfortably various posts, he earned only as much as the salary.
by sitting under a tree many times. It is also said that He had neither his own luxurious bungalow nor his
he did not hesitate to sit on a blanket spread on the own car. He spent his childhood in a hut and spent
ground and used to settle matters there itself by the last days of his life in a hut. It is also said that
holding meetings with officials. He was committed when he died on 9 September 1984, the family did
to the country and society, denouncing worldly life. not even have enough money to perform his last
When the country was under British rule and rites.
the countrymen were yearning for freedom, Bhola On 10 March 2014, while being the Chief Minister
Paswan Shastri, born in Bairgachhi of Purnia dis- of Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also
trict, was influenced by the Father of the Nation, remembered Bhola Paswan Shastri and paid tribute
Mahatma Gandhi, and jumped into the freedom to him in a rally in Purnia. At the same time, while
movement. With his hard work and dedication, he addressing the Jan Bhavna Mahasabha in Purnia,
went to Banaras and studied Sanskrit and obtained a Bihar, on 23 September 2022, Union Home and
Shastri degree, then Shastri was added to his name. Cooperation Minister Amit Shah remembered Bhola
He was intellectually very strong, and his scholarship Paswan Shastri. He had said that this Purnia district
impressed everyone. Later, he became influenced has given Bhola Paswan Shastri, the first Dalit Chief
by the thoughts of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. Minister of Bihar. n