[3][4] Prasad was a member of the Dangi,[5] subcaste of the Koeri caste,[6] and was referred to as the "Lenin of Bihar" due to his charisma.

[7] He led the Shoshit Samaj Dal[8] and during the early 1970s, at the height of the caste tensions known as the Bihar Movement, he was able to attract much support from both members of the Other Backward Classes and the Dalits in their opposition to upper-caste landlords.

Prasad is said to have revolutionary mindset since his early childhood, as in his adolescence, he fought to end prevailing practices like "Panchkathia System", in which farmers had to leave 5 katta of their land for the elephant of landlord to graze.

[11] Later, he came into contact with Chandradeo Prasad Verma, who persuaded him to study the political philosophers to know the prevalent societal condition in depth.

Prasad was called as Bihar's Lenin in his lifetime due to his radical views, he also coined the politically radical slogan of: "Abki saal ke bhadon mein, gori ungli kado mein (next paddy sowing season will see the slim white fingers of upper caste women in mud, transplanting paddy)"[14]Prasad was also a firm believer in the principles of Arjak Sangh.

The erstwhile governments used to remain dominated by the forward castes and Lohia had coined a slogan: Sansopa ki yahi hai maang, picchda pawe sau me sath[16] (the Samyukta Socialist Party demands 60% share in the power for the Backwards).

[19] Prasad later played important role in formation of first Backward Caste led government in the state of Bihar.

Vinayak Prasad Yadav, then a member of the Samyukta Socialist Party, resigned from the Legislative Assembly of Bihar in protest of this killing at Kurtha.

Many political parties of Bihar celebrates the anniversary of Prasad and there also exists a place in Patna named after him.