My father Ram Vilas Paswan was a powerful voice of the poor, says Chirag Paswan on birth anniversary

Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan on Saturday (July 5, 2025) remembered his late father Ram Vilas Paswan on his birth anniversary as a man who was the powerful voice of the poor and deprived people.

The party workers paid floral tributes and recalled Ram Vilas Paswan as a leader who struggled an entire lifetime for the creation of an egalitarian society.

“Today is the birthday of my revered father, Ram Vilas Paswanji. This day has been like a festival for us, and today is also Sankalp Diwas (day of resolve) for every leader and worker of the party to work towards social justice, making Bihar a developed State, and integrating the deprived sections of society into the mainstream, bringing his ideas to reality,” Mr. Chirag said.

The main function was organised in Hajipur, the Lok Sabha seat which Ram Vilas won eight times. At present, this seat is represented by his son Chirag who garlanded a life-size statue installed near the Hajipur Circuit House.

Several political leaders and Union Ministers remembered Ram Vilas on his birth anniversary, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Bihar BJP State president Dilip Jaiswal, Janata Dal (United) leader and MP Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Republican Party of India (Athawale) president Ramdas Athawale and others.

Community kitchen

Mr. Chirag also participated in a community kitchen organised by the party distributing food to the needy. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai also paid tribute by garlanding the statue.

“When he was alive, I never thought that I would face this day when he will not be around. Being his son, pictures from those days just come to my mind when we used to celebrate his birthday every year and the time I used to spend with him. I am trying my best to follow in his footsteps,” Mr. Chirag said.

He also pointed out that Bihar International Trade Organisation (BITO), which he started in 2023 is a platform that provides an opportunity to the people of Bihar living abroad to do something for their State. “Through BITO, we provide a platform for the people of Bihar residing overseas. Today, for the first time, I formally dedicate BITO to Bihar,” Mr. Chirag said.

Mr. Chirag’s uncle and former Union Minister Pashupati Kumar Paras, who heads the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP), celebrated the occasion in Patna at his party office. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav also attended the function.