CM Yogi pays tribute to Ram Vilas Paswan on death anniversary
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
On the death anniversary of former Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offered a heartfelt tribute on Thursday, October 8, 2026, remembering Paswan as a lifelong champion of the marginalised and the oppressed.
In a post on X, CM Yogi wrote — 'वंचितों और शोषितों के अधिकारों के लिए संघर्षरत रहे पूर्व केंद्रीय मंत्री रामविलास पासवान की पुण्यतिथि पर विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि' — translated: 'Humble tribute on the death anniversary of former Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, who remained steadfast in the struggle for the rights of the deprived and the exploited.' He added that Paswan's 'dedication to social justice, equality, and public service will always be remembered.'
A political career defined by Dalit representation
Ram Vilas Paswan was one of independent India's most enduring political figures — a Lok Sabha member for decades and a minister across governments of sharply different ideological colours, from the Janata Party era to the UPA to the NDA. Born in Bihar, he rose through the Dalit movement to become the founding leader of the Lok Jan Shakti Party (LJP), wielding his constituency as a decisive swing force in national coalition politics. He passed away on October 8, 2020, in New Delhi, at the age of 74.
Social justice as Paswan's abiding legacy
Paswan's most notable tenures included his time as Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution — a portfolio through which he repeatedly championed ration-card accessibility for the poor and held the Public Distribution System to account. His name became synonymous with the political voice of the Scheduled Castes at the national level, and his party remained a coalition kingmaker across multiple general elections.
That a BJP chief minister offers this tribute underscores the cross-party reverence Paswan commands — and the continuing political salience of Dalit leadership in India's electoral arithmetic. His son, Chirag Paswan, carries the LJP banner forward today as a Union minister in the current NDA government.