Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Sunday, June 28, 2026, paid tribute to freedom fighter and educationist Babu Shivprasad Gupta on his birth anniversary, honouring the legacy of the founder of Kashi Vidyapith.

Context

In his post, CM Choudhary offered a humble tribute — 'विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि' (heartfelt homage) — to Babu Shivprasad Gupta, describing him as a 'great freedom fighter' and 'founder of Kashi Vidyapith.' The post marks the birth anniversary of one of the lesser-celebrated but significant figures of India's independence movement.

Babu Shivprasad Gupta was a prominent nationalist, philanthropist, and educationist from Varanasi (Kashi), Uttar Pradesh. He was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and played a pivotal role in channelling private wealth toward the cause of national education and freedom.

Policy Backdrop

Kashi Vidyapith, established in 1921 in Varanasi, was founded as a nationalist alternative to British-controlled educational institutions during the Non-Cooperation Movement. Babu Shivprasad Gupta provided substantial personal funding to establish the institution, which was envisioned as a seat of learning rooted in Indian values and the freedom struggle.

The institution conferred degrees in Hindi and Indian languages at a time when English-medium education dominated colonial India. It remains an active university — Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith — today, and stands as a testament to Gupta's enduring contribution to Indian education.

Stakeholders and Impact

Tributes from senior political figures like Bihar's Chief Minister help keep the memory of such freedom fighters alive in public discourse, particularly those who operated outside the most prominent circles of national leadership. Samrat Choudhary's acknowledgement connects Bihar's current political leadership to the broader pan-India narrative of the independence movement.

For the people of Varanasi and the alumni and faculty of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, such recognition from constitutional office-holders carries symbolic weight, reinforcing the institution's place in India's national heritage.

What's Next

Birth anniversaries of freedom fighters are increasingly being used by political leaders across the spectrum to articulate their parties' connections to India's independence legacy. As India approaches the centenary of several key nationalist institutions founded in the 1920s, figures like Babu Shivprasad Gupta are likely to receive renewed scholarly and political attention. CM Choudhary's tribute may prompt broader commemorative events in Bihar and Varanasi in the days ahead.