Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary, remembering him as a remarkable thinker and a leading advocate for social justice. Describing Lohia as a multifaceted personality, the Prime Minister emphasized his key role in mobilizing the public against colonial rule and his significant contributions to India’s development after 1947.

PM Modi noted that Lohia’s steadfast dedication to empowering the poor and marginalized continues to inspire generations. He highlighted that Lohia’s ideas on gender equality and participatory governance remain highly relevant today. On X, he tweeted, “Tributes to Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Ji on his birth anniversary. A multifaceted personality, he played a pivotal role in mobilizing people against colonial rule and later contributed to India’s progress post-1947. An outstanding thinker and a foremost voice of social justice, his unwavering commitment to empowering the poor and marginalized continues to inspire generations. His insights on gender equality and participatory governance are equally noteworthy.”

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also paid tribute via social media, stating, “On the birth anniversary of the great freedom fighter, eminent socialist thinker, and pioneer of ‘Sapta Kranti’, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, humble tributes. His dedication to social justice, equality, and the national language Hindi will forever inspire us to build a strong and self-reliant India.” Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and other Parliament members offered floral tributes to Lohia in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan.

Lohia was an active participant in India’s Independence movement and a prominent socialist leader, associated with the Praja Socialist Party and later the Samyukta Socialist Party. In 1962, he contested against former PM Jawaharlal Nehru from Phulpur but lost. He later won a bye-election in 1963 from Farukkhabad and was elected again in 1967 from Kannauj.