CM Samrat Choudhary pays tribute to President K.R. Narayanan
Synopsis
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary marked the death anniversary of India's tenth President K.R. Narayanan on November 9, paying tribute to his democratic values, simplicity, and historic legacy as the first Dalit to hold the country's highest constitutional office.
Key Takeaways
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary posted a tribute to K.R.
Narayanan on his punyatithi , November 9 .
Narayanan served as India's tenth President from 1997 to 2002 and was the first person from the Dalit community to hold the office.
CM Choudhary highlighted Narayanan's contributions to the nation, his simplicity, and his commitment to democratic values.
Narayanan built an earlier career as a diplomat, academic, and Lok Sabha member before ascending to the presidency.
November 9 commemorations for Narayanan draw tributes from leaders across political parties annually.
On the death anniversary of K.R. Narayanan, India's tenth President and a towering figure in the country's democratic history, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary offered a heartfelt tribute on Monday, November 9 — honouring a legacy that continues to resonate across party lines.
Posting in Hindi on X, CM Choudhary wrote: 'भारत के दसवें राष्ट्रपति एवं प्रख्यात राजनेता स्वर्गीय श्री के. आर. नारायणन जी की पुण्यतिथि पर उन्हें विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि एवं सादर नमन।' — 'Humble tributes and respectful salutations to the late Shri K.R. Narayanan, the tenth President of India and distinguished statesman, on his death anniversary.' He added that Narayanan's contribution to the nation, his simple and unassuming character, and his unwavering commitment to democratic values will always be remembered.A barrier-breaker who shaped the republic
Kocheril Raman Narayanan was no ordinary occupant of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Born into a humble Dalit family in Kerala, he rose through sheer intellectual distinction — earning a scholarship to the London School of Economics — before forging a career as a diplomat, academic, and eventually a Lok Sabha member. When he was sworn in as President in 1997, he became the first person from the Dalit community to hold India's highest constitutional office. That alone made his tenure historic. But Narayanan also chose to exercise the presidential office with a quiet, principled independence — voting in elections, making public his views on key matters — earning him a reputation as an 'active' rather than merely ceremonial head of state. He served until 2002 and passed away in 2005. November 9 is observed annually as his punyatithi — the anniversary of his passing — and draws commemorative statements from political leaders across the spectrum.Why BJP leaders mark this day
Tributes to Narayanan from across the political landscape reflect a durable consensus: his life story — from marginalised origins to the apex of constitutional power — is an argument for the republic's promise. For CM Samrat Choudhary, a senior BJP leader from Bihar, invoking Narayanan's 'democratic values' and 'simplicity' on this day is part of a broader tradition in which state and national leaders publicly reaffirm constitutional commitments through the memory of past presidents. The gesture carries particular resonance in Bihar, a state with a large Dalit and marginalised population where constitutional symbolism carries real electoral and social weight.A scholar who became a diplomat, a diplomat who became a lawmaker, and a lawmaker who became the conscience of a republic — K.R. Narayanan's arc remains one of modern India's most compelling stories, and one that leaders continue to return to, year after year.
Point of View
Invoking Narayanan's legacy of democratic simplicity reinforces the BJP's ongoing effort to broaden its social-justice credentials. That a party ideologically distinct from the Congress — under which Narayanan rose — claims this legacy points to how thoroughly his story has become national, rather than partisan, property.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was K.R. Narayanan?
K.R. Narayanan was India's tenth President, serving from 1997 to 2002. He was the first person from the Dalit community to hold the office and had a distinguished prior career as a diplomat, academic, and member of Parliament.
When did K.R. Narayanan pass away?
K.R. Narayanan passed away in 2005. His death anniversary, observed on November 9, is referred to as his punyatithi and is marked by tributes from leaders across India.
Why is K.R. Narayanan historically significant?
He was the first Dalit President of India, making his election in 1997 a landmark moment in the country's constitutional history. He was also known for exercising his presidential role with notable independence and principle.
Who is Samrat Choudhary?
Samrat Choudhary is the Chief Minister of Bihar and a senior leader of the BJP. He posted a tribute to K.R. Narayanan on X on November 9, 2026.
Why do politicians across parties pay tribute to K.R. Narayanan?
Narayanan's life story — rising from marginalised origins to the apex of constitutional power — and his commitment to democratic values have made him a symbol of the republic's promise, drawing commemorative tributes from leaders across the political spectrum every year on his death anniversary.
