New Delhi, Apr 1 (PTI) Two BJD Rajya Sabha members on Wednesday demanded the posthumous conferment of the Bharat Ratna on the freedom fighters Biju Patnaik and Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

Raising the demand during the Zero Hour in the Upper House, Muzibulla Khan said Patnaik sold his Kalinga Airlines and other industries to enter politics.

“He was not like the politicians of these days,” he said, and recalled Patnaik’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle. He was a freedom fighter and a very big leader, Khan said, adding that on his death, three countries — India, Russia, and Indonesia — had lowered their flags as a mark of respect.

The BJD leader also asked Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who was present in the House, to ask the government to confer the highest civilian award on Patnaik.

“When I came for the first time (in this House), I had made the same demand in the first Zero Hour mention and in my last Zero Hour mention, I am making the same demand,” Khan said.

Patnaik, a two-time chief minister of Odisha (1961-63 and 1990-95), was a freedom fighter and aviator known for his role in daring missions, including flying to Jakarta in 1947 to rescue Indonesian independence leaders and participating in operations linked to the Battle of Stalingrad during World War II.

BJD member Niranjan Bishi said Bhagwan Birsa Munda was a national tribal leader and a great freedom fighter. “I demand posthumous conferment of Bharat Ratna upon national tribal leader, great freedom fighter and krantivir Bhagwan Birsa Munda,” Bishi said.

Bhagwan Birsa Munda (1875–1900) was a revered tribal leader and freedom fighter who led the Munda Rebellion against British rule. His struggle for tribal rights and self-rule made him a symbol of resistance and empowerment for indigenous communities. PTI NKD NKD MR