It’s just a co-incidence that today was Maharashtra’s new Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ swearing in for BJP’s new inning after 15 years in this state. Lavish sets were there with all VVIP and celebrities. On the other hand, people were paying tributes to Sardar Patel, India’s first Home Minister, on his birthday, and an unfortunate incident (Gandhi’s assassination) took place on same day. People were remembering late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her martyrdom day. Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel was an Indian barrister and statesman, one of the leaders of the Indian National Congress and one of the founding fathers of the Republic of India. Indira Gandhi was one of the finest leaders of yesteryear. Some still abuse her for Congress’s misgovernance. Still the nation remembered her on her 30th death anniversary with President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and other leaders paying tribute to her. Devotional songs were played at the venue. A speech made by Gandhi was also played on the occasion. However, when all these were happening, PM Narendra Modi or his Government representatives were not present at Indira Gandhi’s Memorial in New Delhi.
India is a country where numerous communities reside side by side, enriching the fiber of the country. I often wonder if those who yell out hoarsely over any one particular community’s perceived benefits have ever truly thought about our national anthem. People speak of Vivekananda without realising that he promoted the all-inclusive greatness of true India. We, the people, always believed in attacking the policies of great leaders, even when they are no more amongst us. We, the people, being part of a democratic country, want to enjoy every right but never care to respect the true character of democracy. We should realise, for our own sake, that we should not make a mockery of this country and its great history.
Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her bodyguards on October 31, 1984, the same year when she had launched ‘Operation Blue Star’ to crush secessionist movement in Punjab and sent troops into the Golden Temple of Amritsar. If Sonia Gandhi and Congress would have retained the same hate for this community as Sikhs are holding against them, then Mr. Manmohan Singh wouldn’t have been the Prime Minister of this country and the Sikh community would not have prospered in India. They are considered to be prosperous citizens and Punjab as one of the developed states in India.
That inflamed sections of public could be permitted to kill few thousands of Sikhs because a leader of such stature had been killed truly reflects the primitive eye for an eye kind of ideal that prevailed amidst the people.
That the Congress leaders were leading the mobs (including father of present sports minister) was only incidental. Police could not do anything. Home minister was dumb struck for four days and could not take a decision on deploying army available within the city. She was the one who supported the Frankenstein called Bhindranwale to break the Akali Dal’s hold on Punjab’s politics. Few thousands would have been killed in ensuing terrorist outbreak, few thousands more during ‘Operation Bluestar’ but her intentions were honourable. She was the one who realised that without her as PM, the country would go to dogs and imposed emergency when her election was countermanded. After all, she had been labelled as synonymous for India.
I never liked the Congress Party, but could never hate Indira Gandhi. She is my favourite politician and the most powerful woman I have ever seen in Indian history. She defeated Pakistan and created Bangladesh in 1971 going against the entire world, especially USA. She should be lauded for her bravery. Also people may not like it, but her strong actions prevented the creation of Khalistan. She struggled hard to keep India united. Of course, she made a mistake in declaring emergency, but the idea of population control was good and India has faced a lot of population related problems, especially from uncontrolled growth of a certain community. The country must be grateful to her. If she wouldn’t have taken that harsh step at that time, today Punjab wouldn’t have been a part of India. One Gandhi divided the nation and another dedicated her life in uniting the nation, that Gandhi is none other than Indira herself. In the meantime, I also pay homage and have sympathy with those innocent Sikhs who were butchered during Congress regime. I am sure; many have also paid tributes to those innocent citizens of this country.
These all things are history. If we talk about present day, then yesterday the BJP’s first government in Maharashtra was sworn in. The BJP had planned a mega-inauguration for a mini-cabinet headed by Devendra Fadnavis as Chief Minister. I wish all the best to the new leadership and party in the state. Let’s move into new era of politics and politicians.
If you do not agree with my opinion, let’s debate on it. Follow me on twitter @vaidehisachin.
