PM Modi Honors 98-Year-Old BJP Veteran Makhanlal Sarkar in West Bengal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed a great sign of respect in West Bengal on Saturday, May 9, 2026. He met a very old BJP worker named Makhanlal Sarkar. Makhanlal Sarkar is 98 years old. During a public event, PM Modi bowed down and touched the feet of the elderly leader. This act was done to honor Sarkar for his many years of hard work for the party and the country.
The Prime Minister praised Makhanlal Sarkar for his lifelong dedication. Sarkar has been part of nationalist politics for a very long time. He worked for the party even when it was not very big. This meeting was very emotional and many people on social media talked about it. It showed how the BJP values its oldest workers who worked at the ground level.
Who is Makhanlal Sarkar?
Makhanlal Sarkar is one of the oldest and most respected members of the BJP in West Bengal. He has been active in politics since the early years after India became independent. He was part of the Jana Sangh, which was the group that existed before the BJP was formed. He is known for his simple life and his strong belief in nationalist ideas.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Makhanlal Sarkar |
| Age | 98 Years |
| State | West Bengal |
| Political Party | BJP (formerly Jana Sangh) |
| Key Role | Organisational Coordinator and District President |
The 1952 Kashmir Movement
In 1952, Makhanlal Sarkar took part in a very important movement. He went to Kashmir with Syama Prasad Mukherjee. Syama Prasad Mukherjee was the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh. They wanted to hoist the Indian tricolour flag in Kashmir. During this movement, Makhanlal Sarkar was arrested by the police. This event is a major part of the history of nationalist politics in India.
Building the BJP in West Bengal
The BJP was formed in 1980. After that, Makhanlal Sarkar was given big jobs in the party. He worked in districts like West Dinajpur, Jalpaiguri, and Darjeeling. At that time, the BJP did not have many members in these areas. Sarkar worked very hard to change that.
- He helped 10,000 people join the BJP in just one year.
- He served as the District President for seven years in a row.
- He built a strong network of workers at the village level.
- He is credited with helping the party grow in North Bengal.
Usually, BJP leaders do not stay in the same post for a long time. But Sarkar stayed as District President for seven years because of his great work.
The Story of the Nationalist Song
West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya shared a famous story about Makhanlal Sarkar. Many years ago, during the Congress government, Sarkar was arrested by the Delhi Police. His crime was singing a nationalist song. When he was taken to court, the police asked him to say sorry. Sarkar refused to apologize.
Instead of saying sorry, he sang the same nationalist song again in front of the judge. The judge was very impressed by his bravery. The judge did not punish him. Instead, the judge ordered that Sarkar should be sent home with a first-class train ticket. The judge also gave him ₹100 for his travel expenses.
Significance of PM Modi’s Gesture
PM Modi honoring Makhanlal Sarkar is very important for the BJP. It happened at a time when the BJP has seen big growth in West Bengal. Recently, Suvendu Adhikari became the first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal. By touching the feet of an old worker, PM Modi showed that the party does not forget those who worked hard in the early days. It was a message to all grassroots workers that their hard work is seen and respected.
FAQs
Who is Makhanlal Sarkar?
Makhanlal Sarkar is a 98-year-old veteran BJP worker from West Bengal who has been active in politics since 1952.
Why did PM Modi touch his feet?
PM Modi touched his feet as a mark of respect for his lifelong service and dedication to the party and nationalist causes.
What happened to Makhanlal Sarkar in 1952?
He was arrested in Kashmir while accompanying Syama Prasad Mukherjee during a movement to hoist the Indian flag.
How many members did he enroll in the BJP?
He helped enroll nearly 10,000 members into the BJP within one year of becoming an organisational coordinator.
What happened in the Delhi court case?
Sarkar was arrested for singing a nationalist song. He sang it again in court, and the judge was so impressed that he gave him a first-class ticket and ₹100 to go home.