New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid a heartfelt tribute to veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani as he entered his 100th year on 8 November 2026, a day that coincides with Diwali. In a special article, the Prime Minister described Advani’s life as an inspiring journey spanning a century and recalled the deep personal guidance he has received from the senior leader over the decades.
Modi noted the auspicious coincidence of Advani’s milestone falling on Diwali, the festival of Lord Ram and lights. He also pointed out that 2026 marks 75 years of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, 100 years of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, and the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee.
A Personal Bond
The Prime Minister said the occasion held deep emotional significance for him. “I consider myself fortunate to have always received the affection, proximity and guidance of Advani ji,” he wrote. Recalling their association that began several decades ago when he was working in public life, Modi said the relationship gradually became so close that Advani became like a guardian to him. He taught him the intricacies of politics, guided him at every step, and remained a source of strength during difficult times through his experience and wisdom. Advani’s ideological clarity, self-confidence and unwavering commitment to principles have always inspired him.
Even today, Modi said, time spent with Advani fills him with fresh energy and inspiration. On this occasion, he offered the traditional blessing: “Jivet Sharadah Shatam, Pashyema Sharadah Shatam, Shrunuyam Sharadah Shatam.”
A Life Intertwined with Modern India’s History
Few personalities, Modi observed, have their lives so closely woven with the major chapters of modern Indian history. Born on 8 November 1927 on the day of Dev Diwali, Advani endured the pain of Partition as a young man in 1947. He had to leave behind his home, surroundings and familiar world in Sindh and begin life anew from scratch. Yet he never carried bitterness or regret from that difficult experience. The resolve to rebuild, no matter how challenging the circumstances, remained with him throughout his life and was evident in strengthening the Jana Sangh and later in building the Bharatiya Janata Party.
As BJP national president, Advani oversaw significant political shifts. In 1989, the Congress tally fell from around 400 seats to below 200. In 1996, the BJP emerged as the single largest party in the country for the first time. He groomed generations of workers and laid a strong foundation for the party on the principle of “Nation First.”
Two Defining Qualities
Modi highlighted two distinctive traits that set Advani apart as a leader. The first was his ideological clarity and intellectual sharpness, reflected in his speeches, writings, party resolutions and interviews. The second was his clear and fearless stance against the pseudo-secularism that had long dominated Indian politics. Advani brought the reality of this tendency into the national political discourse.
Partnership with Atal Bihari Vajpayee
After working as an RSS pracharak in Rajasthan, Advani moved to Delhi, where he began working closely with Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The two stood shoulder to shoulder for decades—an exceptional example in political history of two leaders of stature remaining together through changing circumstances and ambitions. Their mutual trust and respect endured until the final years of Vajpayee’s life, offering a lasting inspiration of cooperation and dedication in Indian politics.
Parliamentary and Ministerial Career
Advani’s parliamentary journey began in the 1970s. He made a distinct mark as a Member of Parliament, Leader of the Opposition in both Houses, and later as a member of the ruling side. Despite heavy parliamentary responsibilities, he continued travelling across the country and engaging with people.
The Emergency was a defining phase. Advani stood in the front ranks of the struggle to defend democracy and the Constitution. His experiences from that period find expression in his book A Prisoner’s Scrap-Book, particularly in the section “A Tale of Two Emergencies,” which draws striking parallels between the events beginning in June 1975 in India and those under Hitler’s regime in Germany in 1933.
In the Janata Party government of 1977, Advani served as Minister of Information and Broadcasting, a tenure still regarded as particularly impactful. Later, as Deputy Prime Minister and one of India’s longest-serving Home Ministers, he played a key role in strengthening the country’s security apparatus. His efforts to improve the lives of security forces personnel continue to be remembered with respect. His firm stance against terrorism led to the enactment of a stringent law to combat it.
The Rath Yatra
The Somnath-to-Ayodhya Rath Yatra remains a historic chapter in Advani’s life. It gave Indian society a new and positive direction. Modi recalled being associated with the yatra from its conception and preparations through its progress, and described the presence at its launch in Somnath as an unforgettable experience. Advani’s endurance, focus and resolve throughout the long and physically demanding journey, he said, remain deeply inspiring.
The arrest of Advani in Bihar during the yatra was a painful moment. In response, the BJP withdrew support from the Chimanbhai Patel government in Gujarat, sending a clear message that there would be no compromise on ideology or the resolve to build the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Years later, that resolve was fulfilled with the construction of the grand temple of Lord Ram in Ayodhya.
Personal Qualities and Legacy
Modi also recalled Advani’s simplicity, honesty and integrity in public life. He noted his love for reading, careful study of newspapers, deep interest in cinema and theatre, and keen sense of history, reflected in his book My Country My Life. Advani’s strong connection with Sindhi culture and his role in popularising the Sindhu Darshan Puja near Leh were also mentioned.
The Prime Minister paid tribute to Kamla Advani, who remained Advani’s strength and support throughout his long public life. Growing up in Karachi, Advani could scarcely have imagined the extraordinary journey that lay ahead. In 2024, a grateful nation conferred upon him the Bharat Ratna for his contributions to the country.
As Advani enters his 100th year, Prime Minister Modi prayed for his continued good health and expressed the hope that he would keep inspiring and guiding the nation for years to come.
