Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The Mandal Commission, officially the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Commission (SEBC), was a pivotal body in the history of affirmative action in India.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The commission was established in 1979 by the Janata Party government.
It was named after its chairman, Bindeshwari Prasad Mandal (often referred to as B.P. Mandal), an Indian parliamentarian and former Chief Minister of Bihar.
The options provided are:
- (A) Karpuri Thakur was a former CM of Bihar known for implementing reservations there.
- (C) Jay Prakash Narayan was a prominent political leader.
- (D) Vishwanath Prasad Singh (V.P. Singh) was the Prime Minister who implemented the Mandal Commission's recommendations in 1990.
The name "Vindeshwari Prasad" in option (B) is the closest spelling to the actual chairman, Bindeshwari Prasad Mandal.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The Chairman of the Mandal Commission was Bindeshwari Prasad Mandal.
Therefore, option (B) is the correct answer.