Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday, July 5, 2026, paid tribute to former Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on his birth anniversary, honouring the late leader's lifelong commitment to social justice and the rights of Dalits, backward classes, and marginalised communities.

In his post, Rajnath Singh wrote — translated from Hindi — 'Purv Kendriya Mantri Ramvilas Paswan ji ki jayanti par unhe vinamra shraddhanjali' ('Humble tribute to former Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on his birth anniversary'). He noted that Paswan's entire public life was 'dedicated to the struggle for social justice, democratic values, and the rights of Dalits, backward classes, and the deprived.' Singh added that Paswan 'always kept human sensibilities paramount' and continuously strove to ensure that 'even the person standing in the last row of society receives justice, opportunity, and dignity.'

Context

Ram Vilas Paswan was one of India's most enduring political figures, representing Hajipur constituency in Bihar across multiple terms and founding the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) in 2000. He served as a Union Minister across governments of different political persuasions, earning a reputation as a reliable voice for Dalit and OBC communities. He passed away in October 2020.

Paswan joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in 2014 as Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, a position he held until his death. In that role, he oversaw significant expansions of the Public Distribution System, reinforcing food security for millions of vulnerable citizens.

Policy Backdrop

Paswan's political identity was inseparable from his advocacy on social justice. Throughout his career he championed reservations, welfare entitlements, and equitable access to state resources for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. His tenure at the food ministry saw the implementation of the National Food Security Act, extending subsidised grain to a large share of India's population.

His legacy is seen as foundational to the NDA's outreach among Dalit and OBC voters, particularly in Bihar, where the LJP remains a significant political force.

Stakeholders and Impact

Annual birth anniversary tributes from senior BJP leaders to Paswan carry political weight beyond ceremonial respect. They reinforce the NDA's narrative of inclusive governance and signal continued solidarity with Paswan's political heirs, particularly his son Chirag Paswan, who leads one faction of the LJP and is a Union Minister in the current government.

For Dalit and OBC communities in Bihar and nationally, such tributes serve as a reminder of Paswan's institutional contributions. The LJP has since split into two factions, and the anniversary period often becomes an occasion for both sides to assert their claim to Paswan's legacy.

What's Next

With Bihar assembly elections on the political horizon, the frequency and prominence of tributes to Paswan from NDA leaders are expected to intensify as part of broader social justice outreach. Any fresh coordination meetings within the NDA on OBC and Dalit voter engagement will likely reference Paswan's legacy as a unifying symbol. Rajnath Singh's tribute, coming from one of the BJP's most senior figures, underscores the continued strategic importance of that alliance.