Union Cabinet approves national memorial for Jai Prakash Narayan in Bihar

A meeting of the Union Cabinet, which was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday gave its approval to a proposal of the Ministry of Culture for the setting up of a national memorial at Lala Ka Tola, Sitab, Diara, in Bihar's Chhapra District, the birth place of Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan.

The memorial will also house a virtual museum and an institute to undertake study and research on democracy, enhancing the role of panchayats in nation building, Gandhian thoughts, and a centre for khadi and constructive work, keeping in view the thoughts of Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan, along with Lok Nayak Khadi Gaurav Samvardhan Kendra at the same place for making national flags by women cluster(s).

Bharat Ratna Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan's contribution as an exemplary leader of Indian independence movement, a freedom fighter, social reformer and a visionary political leader will be commemorated through these decisions.

As a sentinel of Indian democracy, his contribution to redeem democracy will be remembered for long. After proclamation of National Emergency, on the mid-night of 25th June, 1975, Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan was arrested and kept as a detenu at Chandigarh.

Jai Prakash Narayan's call for a 'Sampoorna Kranti' for upholding and defending civil liberties at a very critical juncture in the post-independence history of India, ushered a new democratic movement for India and contributed to strengthen the roots of democracy.