Khattar pays tribute to J.B. Kripalani on his birth anniversary
Synopsis
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar marked the birth anniversary of Acharya J.B. Kripalani on 11 November, honouring the freedom fighter and former Congress president as a timeless inspiration for nation-building and an empowered society.
Key Takeaways
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar paid tribute to Acharya J.B.
Kripalani on his birth anniversary, 11 November .
Kripalani served as President of the Indian National Congress in 1946–47 , at the critical juncture of Independence and Partition.
Khattar praised Kripalani's 'sharp ideas and exemplary life' as an enduring inspiration for building a 'glorious nation and empowered society.' Kripalani was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and later became a prominent opposition voice critical of post-independence governance.
Tributes to freedom fighters on their birth anniversaries are a regular feature of Indian political life across party lines.
A freedom fighter who served the Indian National Congress as its president during one of history's most charged moments — the eve of Independence — Acharya Jivatram Bhagwandas Kripalani turns a year older in memory on 11 November, and Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar marked the jayanti with a heartfelt tribute on X.
Posting in Hindi, Khattar wrote: 'महान स्वतंत्रता सेनानी, माँ भारती के सच्चे सेवक, आचार्य जे. बी. कृपलानी जी की जयंती पर कोटिशः नमन अर्पित करता हूँ।' — 'On the birth anniversary of great freedom fighter and true servant of Mother India, Acharya J.B. Kripalani, I offer crores of salutations.' He added that Kripalani's 'sharp ideas and exemplary life will always inspire us to build a glorious nation and an empowered society.'
Who was Acharya J.B. Kripalani?
Acharya Jivatram Bhagwandas Kripalani, born 11 November 1888, was among the towering figures of India's independence movement. A close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, he served as President of the Indian National Congress in 1946–47 — the period that straddled the final negotiations for Independence and the trauma of Partition. His tenure placed him at the centre of the most consequential political decisions of the twentieth century on the subcontinent. After Independence, Kripalani grew increasingly critical of the direction of governance under Jawaharlal Nehru, eventually parting ways with the Congress and channelling his socialist convictions into opposition politics. He remained a vocal, independent voice in Parliament well into his later years — a rare figure whose moral authority transcended party lines.A tradition of remembrance across political divides
Khattar's tribute follows a well-established pattern in Indian public life: leaders across the political spectrum pause on the anniversaries of freedom fighters to reaffirm the republic's founding ideals. For a senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister of Haryana, invoking Kripalani — a Gandhian socialist who also became a Congress critic — carries a natural resonance, underscoring values of nation-building and principled public service that cross ideological lines. Kripalani's legacy endures as a reminder that the independence movement was not monolithic, but was powered by individuals who brought fierce intellectual independence to the shared cause of a free India.Point of View
Not just its ideological wing. Kripalani's trajectory, from Congress president to independent opposition voice, makes him a figure both sides of the aisle can invoke without contradiction. These annual tributes serve a dual function: they reinforce the political class's connection to foundational legitimacy while keeping the memory of institutional service alive in public discourse. The ritual may be routine, but Kripalani's particular brand of principled dissent gives it a sharper edge than most jayanti posts.
NationPress
11 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Acharya J.B. Kripalani?
Acharya Jivatram Bhagwandas Kripalani (born 11 November 1888) was a leading Indian independence activist, a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, and President of the Indian National Congress in 1946–47. He later became a prominent socialist opposition figure critical of Nehru-era policies.
Why is J.B. Kripalani's birth anniversary on 11 November significant?
11 November marks the birth anniversary of Acharya J.B. Kripalani, one of the key figures of India's independence movement. Indian political leaders across parties observe the day with tributes honouring his contributions to the freedom struggle and nation-building.
What did Manohar Lal Khattar say about J.B. Kripalani?
Khattar called Kripalani a 'great freedom fighter and true servant of Mother India,' offering 'crores of salutations' and stating that Kripalani's sharp ideas and exemplary life would always inspire the building of a glorious nation and an empowered society.
What was J.B. Kripalani's role during India's independence?
J.B. Kripalani served as President of the Indian National Congress in 1946–47, placing him at the centre of the final negotiations for India's independence and the events surrounding Partition — one of the most consequential periods in the subcontinent's modern history.
Is Manohar Lal Khattar a former Chief Minister?
Yes. Manohar Lal Khattar served as Chief Minister of Haryana before taking on the role of Union Minister for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs in the central government.
