New Delhi, Jul 6 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid tributes to former Deputy Prime Minister Babu Jagjivan Ram on his death anniversary.

"I bow to the great Babu Jagjivan Ram ji on his Punya Tithi. He constantly worked for the welfare of the underprivileged and marginalised," Modi said.

Earlier, a host of dignitaries -- among them former Lok Sabha Speaker and daughter of the late Jagjivan Ram, Meira Kumar and Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thawarchand Gehlot -- paid their respects to Babu Jagjivan Ram at Samta Sthal near Rajghat in New Delhi.

Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Vijay Sampla also paid homage to Babu Jagjivan Ram. The ministry has organised a function at Samta Sthal to pay homage to him.

Born on April 5, Jagjivan Ram was one of the tallest Dalit leader of his time. He was also the defence minister of India during the India-Pakistan war of 1971, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh. He later served as the deputy prime minister of India.