Poet Pradeep, who penned the famous “Ae mere watan ke logon” has become the centre of a political slugfest between the Congress and BJP.
When the golden anniversary of “Ae mere watan ke logon” was celebrated in Mumbai, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was present at the stage with legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar. Now, the Congress has named a road crossing after Pradeep. However, according to Pradeep’s family both the parties are indulging politics.
Former Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had tears in his eyes while listening to the song.
Meanwhile, after the announcement of a crossing after Pradeep, the BJP said the Congress has been copying it. But Congress MP Priya Dutt denied any politics over the name.
Pradeep had also written one of the patriotic song ‘de di hame azadi, bina khadag bina dhal’ on Mahatma Gandhi.
During a public meeting in December 2013 at Indore, Madhya Pradesh Minister and senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya said the nationally-revered poet “deserves to be slapped, boxed and kicked” for praising Mahatma Gandhi.
Stunned by the comments, late Pradeep’s daughter Mitul Pradeep demanded an unconditional, written apology from Kailash Vijayvargiya for insulting the iconic poet and indirectly even Mahatma Gandhi.
Pradeep died at the age of 83 in Mumbai on December 11, 1998.
