“We Never Compromised with Our Father’s Ethics”: A Power-Packed Tribute to Bhagwat Jha Azad at the Launch of His Epic Mrityunjayi
By Ayush Sachan
New Delhi witnessed a power packed Mrityunjay event in IGNCA, the event witnessed, policy makers, journalists, politicians, writers, senior bureaucrats who came all the way to participate and pay there respects to former chief minister and political stalwart Bhagwat Jha Azad.
Bhagwat Jha Azad served as the Chief Minister of Bihar from 14 March 1988 to 10 December 1989.
Bhagwat Jha Azad remains an important figure in the political and social history of Bihar and India. A freedom fighter, parliamentarian and administrator, his long public career reflects a deep commitment to democratic values and the welfare of the people. Born on 28 June 1922 in Bhagalpur, Bihar, Azad rose from a humble background to become one of the most respected leaders of the Indian National Congress.
The programme was gracefully chaired by senior Congress leader and former Rajya Sabha member Shri Janardan Dwivedi. Among the distinguished guests were veteran journalist Shri Alok Mehta, noted commentator Ashutosh, former cricketer and MP Kirti Jha Azad, and members of the entire Azad family.
Speaking with visible emotion, Kirti Jha Azad, son of the late leader, declared, “My brother and I never compromised with our father’s ethics.” The statement drew prolonged applause and summed up the essence of Bhagwat Jha Azad’s life – a life lived with unyielding principles, simplicity, and an unbreakable sense of self-respect.
During his brief tenure as Chief Minister, Azad dedicated himself wholeheartedly to development and the widespread dissemination of education across Bihar. He firmly believed that the true essence of power lies not in the position one holds but in the service one provides. His remarkable political journey, spanning from his participation in the Quit India Movement to his esteemed status as a respected parliamentarian, serves as a beacon of integrity in the realm of public life.
Mrityunjayi: A Literary Testament
The evening was equally significant for Azad, the renowned litterateur, and Azad, the statesman. His Sanskrit-worded Hindi epic, Mrityunjayi, is being celebrated as a monumental contribution to modern Indian literature. Family members shared that the work reflects his profound philosophical insight, linguistic prowess, and lifelong contemplation on life, death, and human dignity, the very themes that defined his life.
A Legacy That Still Illuminates
As speakers took turns reminiscing, a recurring sentiment resonated: Bhagwat Jha Azad established an unparalleled benchmark in Bihar politics for public service, simplicity, and self-respect, a legacy that continues to be cherished and remembered even decades later.
“He was not just a Chief Minister; he was a true son of Bihar’s soil who lived politics while staying close to the people,” one speaker remarked. “From his struggles to becoming a people’s leader and then igniting the flame of development and education across the state, Bhagwat Jha Azad’s legacy shines brightly as a beacon of light.”
On his birth anniversary, the gathering stood in unison, paying tribute to his ideals, honoring his unwavering self-respect, and reaffirming their commitment to the values he embodied.
In an era frequently criticized for the decline of political morality, the launch of Mrityunjayi and the heartfelt tributes paid to Bhagwat Jha Azad stood as a powerful testament to the enduring relevance of ethical, people-centric leadership.
As the evening drew to a close, those present left with a renewed sense of pride in Bihar’s political legacy. They also received a copy of Mrityunjayi, a literary immortalization of a leader who triumphed over death through the enduring power of his ideals.