Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, paid tribute to former President Varahagiri Venkata Giri on his death anniversary, honouring the Bharat Ratna recipient as one of India's foremost constitutional and labour movement figures.

Posting on X, CM Choudhary offered heartfelt condolences in Hindi — 'भावभीनी श्रद्धांजलि एवं सादर नमन' ['heartfelt tribute and respectful salutation'] — to the late leader, describing him as a recipient of the country's highest honour, the Bharat Ratna.

Context

V.V. Giri served as the fourth President of India from 1969 to 1974, having assumed office following the death of President Zakir Husain. Before his presidency, Giri was a prominent independence activist and a towering figure in India's organised labour movement. He was conferred the Bharat Ratna in 1975, the highest civilian honour the Indian state can bestow. He passed away on June 24, 1980, and his death anniversary is observed annually across the country.

Policy Backdrop

The practice of Indian political leaders issuing social-media tributes on the death anniversaries of former Presidents and independence-era icons is well established across party lines. Such observances serve as an institutional acknowledgement of constitutional office-holders and their contributions to nation-building. V.V. Giri's legacy spans both the constitutional domain and the labour rights movement, making him a figure remembered beyond any single political affiliation.

BJP leaders at the state level, including chief ministers, regularly participate in this commemorative tradition, reinforcing the party's stated commitment to honouring all architects of modern India regardless of their political lineage.

Stakeholders and Impact

The tribute resonates with trade union members, constitutional scholars, and citizens who regard V.V. Giri as a symbol of workers' rights and democratic governance. Giri's tenure as President coincided with a politically turbulent period in Indian history, lending his memory a significance that extends well beyond ceremonial remembrance. Annual commemorations help sustain public awareness of his contributions among younger generations of Indians.

What's Next

Official commemorations marking V.V. Giri's death anniversary are typically held at national memorials in New Delhi, with political leaders and constitutional functionaries paying their respects. CM Choudhary's post is part of a wider pattern of tributes expected from leaders across the political spectrum on this date each year. Observers will watch whether any state or central government events are organised to formally mark the occasion in 2026.