Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday, 5 July 2026 paid homage to veteran politician and Padma Bhushan awardee Ram Vilas Paswan on his birth anniversary, honouring Paswan's lifelong service to the nation and to marginalised communities.

Context

Chouhan posted on X in Hindi, writing: 'लोकप्रिय राजनेता, पूर्व केंद्रीय मंत्री, पद्म भूषण, रामविलास पासवान जी की जयंती पर कोटि-कोटि नमन करता हूँ!' — 'I bow in deepest reverence on the birth anniversary of popular politician, former Union Minister and Padma Bhushan recipient Ram Vilas Paswan ji!' He added that Paswan would always be remembered for the 'sacred work' he did for national service and the upliftment of weaker sections of society.

Ram Vilas Paswan was one of independent India's most enduring political figures, representing Hajipur constituency in Bihar across multiple Lok Sabha terms and serving as a Union Minister in governments of different political hues. He passed away in October 2020.

Policy Backdrop

Paswan's most consequential ministerial role was as Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, a portfolio he held under both UPA and NDA governments. In that capacity, he was instrumental in shaping reforms to the Public Distribution System (PDS), the national food security programme targeting delivery of subsidised foodgrains to economically weaker sections.

He founded the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) in 2000, building it into a significant force in Bihar's caste-based electoral arithmetic. The party has remained a key constituent of the National Democratic Alliance and is currently led by his son, Union Minister Chirag Paswan.

Paswan was conferred the Padma Bhushan — India's third-highest civilian honour — in recognition of his contributions to public life and social justice.

Stakeholders and Impact

Dalit communities and economically weaker sections across Bihar and the country regarded Paswan as a powerful advocate. His political identity was rooted in championing the rights of scheduled castes and ensuring state welfare programmes reached the most vulnerable.

BJP leaders marking Paswan's birth anniversary reflects a broader pattern of cross-party respect for the late leader, whose legacy continues to influence Dalit outreach strategies and state-level alliance calculations, particularly in Bihar.

What's Next

Tributes from senior NDA leaders on Paswan's birth anniversary are closely watched as signals of the alliance's continued commitment to the social-justice constituency he represented. Responses from the Lok Janshakti Party and Chirag Paswan on the occasion are expected to further underline the political continuity of Paswan's legacy within the ruling coalition.

As Bihar remains a crucial electoral state, the annual remembrance of Ram Vilas Paswan carries symbolic weight well beyond ceremonial tribute, reinforcing ties between the BJP and its Dalit alliance partners.