Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath, MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao, CPI leader Shankara Rao and members of the Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan and Lohia Memorial Committee paid tributes to Jayaprakash Narayan on his 124th birth anniversary on Sunday.

The leaders garlanded his statue opposite Tummalapalli Kalakshetram in Vijayawada and recalled his contributions to India’s freedom struggle alongside Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia. They noted that Jayaprakash Narayan continued to play a significant role in public life and people’s movements even after Independence.

Committee president Tumati Premnath said Jayaprakash Narayan led movements to safeguard democracy, civil liberties and people’s rights. He highlighted the veteran leader’s role in mobilising opposition parties against the Emergency imposed during the tenure of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, under the banner of ‘Total Revolution’.

The speakers recalled that Jayaprakash Narayan was committed to defending democratic values despite his advanced age and ill health. They stressed that his sacrifices and dedication to democracy should serve as an inspiration to future generations.

The leaders also urged students and young people to follow his ideals, stand up for democratic rights and work towards addressing social inequalities, unemployment, corruption and other forms of injustice.