Murli Manohar Joshi turns 90: Well-wishers flock to Raisina Road to celebrate life of BJP stalwart

The former BJP president and Union minister, who played a key role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, was surrounded by family and friends at his government bungalow in Delhi.

Murli Manohar Joshi with wife Tarla Joshi at his residence in Delhi, Saturday | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

New Delhi: As former Union minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart Murli Manohar Joshi turned 90 Saturday, a host of well-wishers flocked to a government bungalow on Delhi’s Raisina Road to celebrate the occasion.

Joshi, who was among the prominent faces of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, was also one of the founding fathers of the BJP and led the party as its president between 1991 and 1993. He also served as the minister of science and technology in the Vajpayee government (1998-2004) and, in 2017, was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan — the nation’s second-highest civilian award. A lifelong Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) member, Joshi was appointed to the BJP’s Margdarshak Mandal in 2014.

Among the eminent guests who graced Joshi’s birthday celebration were former Rajya Sabha MP Karan Singh and former diplomat Pavan Varma.

ThePrint National Photo Editor Praveen Jain captured the mood of the occasion.

Murli Manohar Joshi with his wife Tarla Joshi, who adorns him with a chunari, on his 90th birthday | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Joshi at his residence on Raisina Road | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Murli Manohar Joshi (90) seeks the blessings of Congress leader Dr Karan Singh (92) by touching his feet | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Joshi sharing a lighter moment with Dr Karan Singh | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Murli Manohar Joshi with his granddaughter Ananya | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Murli Manohar Joshi taking time out to relax during his birthday celebration | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Murli Manohar Joshi beams with joy on his birthday | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Murli Manohar Joshi’s daughter Nivedita applauding him | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Joshi admires the flowers gifted to him on his birthday | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Joshi with his daughters Priyamvada Joshi and Nivedita Joshi | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Joshi tearing up during his 90th birthday celebration | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

An emotional Joshi wiping away tears | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Murli Manohar Joshi during his birthday celebration | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Joshi with his granddaughter | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Dr Karan Singh with Tarla Joshi | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Former MoS Prahlad Singh Patel at the birthday celebration | Praveen Jain | ThePrint