In a long political career and celebrated public life, Atal Behari Vajpayee had many eminent advisors. The advisors get to know the Captain in the best possible ways
Ashok Tandon
Atal Behari Vajpayee I knew was Insaaniyat (Humanism) personified. His Ajaatshatru (one who has no enemies) persona won him friends across the political spectrum.Atalji’s eloquence mesmerised people of all hues. He ranked amongst the greatest parliamentarians of independent Bharat. His maiden speech in the second Lok Sabha at the age of 31 made the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to profess that this young man one day will become the prime minister of India.
Poetics of Politics
Poet by choice, a trait he inherited from his schoolteacher father Krishna Behari Vajpayee, Atal ji’s poems conveyed a message on the contemporary political and social issues.
“Gun can solve no problem; brotherhood can. Issues can be resolved if we move forward guided by the three principles of Insaaniyat (humanism), Jamhooriyat (democracy) and Kashmiriyat (Kashmir”s age-old legacy of amity), Prime Minister Vajpayee had said while reaching out to the people of Jammu and Kashmir during his visit to the valley in April 2003.
Peaceful resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir issue was very close to Atalji’s heart, and he genuinely believed that healing touch could achieve it.
Man who Ruled over the Hearts
In their joint tribute, RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat and Sarkaryavah Shri Bhaiyaji Joshi said: “We all are deeply saddened on the demise of Shraddheya Atal Behari Vajpayeeji. Even the imagination of his departure from this mortal life is unbearable. Along with the ideological commitment, he will always be remembered as an ideal dedicated life who achieved an unfading niche in the political and social fields through his hard work and efficiency. Atal ji was the name of a poet with the sensitive heart, a visionary with a sense of future and a great personality adored by the masses. True to his name, he was ‘Atal’ throughout his life. Our last respect to Atal Behari Vajpayee, the giant politician with exceptional oratory skills and a dedicated Swayamsevak, who ruled over the hearts of countless Indians. Your memories will always continue to inspire us. Heartfelt Tribute!”
I remember, it was Atalji’s first summer sojourn at Manali sometime in June after taking over as the prime minister for the second time on March 19, 1998, when during an evening session with his close PMO functionaries he had discussed the issue of Jammu & Kashmir.
“I think we need to work towards resolving the issue of Jammu & Kashmir peacefully through bilateral dialogue with Pakistan”, Atal ji told us adding “we can change friends but not our neighbours”.
On the sidelines of the10th SAARC Summit in Colombo towards the end of July 1998, Atal ji had his one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Great Consensus Builder
In the Delhi–Lahore Bus journey, Sada-e-Sarhad (Call of the Frontier), which Atalji undertook on February 19, 1999, he extended an honest hand of friendship, peace and mutual respect towards the people of Pakistan.
Vajpayee’s speech at the Lahore’s Governor House lawns, which was telecast live both in India and Pakistan, began with the words “Bahut Lad Liye. Ab Dosti ko bhi ek maouka diya jana chahiye” (we had enough of fighting, now is the time to give friendship a chance) and ended with a passionate appeal from the bottom of his heart for lasting peace in the region for an all round development of our two neighbours. Rather than shedding blood, let us collectively fight poverty, he had exhorted amid big applause from the audience.
I remember, after his speech, Nawaz Sharif went up to him and said “Vajpayee Saheb, ab to aap Pakistan mein bhi election jeet sakte hein” (Vajpayee Saheb, now you can win the election even in Pakistan”.
Atal ji also visited Minar-e-Pakistan, amid violent protests from some fundamentalist elements in Lahore. In the comments he wrote in the visitors’ book, Vajpayee recognised the existence of Pakistan, something the ruling class in Islamabad always thought that no Indian leader would ever do.
Contrary to apprehensions in certain quarters in India, the Lahore Declaration which Vajpayee signed with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif turned out to be an improvement on the April 1972 Simla Agreement between Indira Gandhi and Z.A Bhutto. While reiterating commitment to resolving all outstanding issues between New Delhi & Islamabad, including the issue of Jammu & Kashmir, peacefully through bilateral dialogue, the Lahore Declaration also committed, for the first time, the two neighbours to fighting terrorism in all its manifestations.
Vajpayee was thoroughly disappointed with what happened subsequently in Kargil. He knew it was a calculated and deliberate attempt to derail his peace initiative. Atalji strongly believed that a peaceful South Asia was a key to overall development of this poverty-stricken region. He continued his endeavour for an enduring peace in India’s neighbourhood.
India under Vajpayee relentlessly worked towards cementing the South Asian regional cooperation in various fields.
Vajpayee attended the 12th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in January 2004, close to the general elections in India, in spite of repeated provocations from forces inimical to peace and tranquillity in the region.
In his death, Bharat has lost its Anmol Ratna, South Asia an apostle of peace and the world a visionary statesman par excellence.
(The writer worked as the media advisor to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee)
