RIP

Via Indian Express

Pramod Mahajan passes away

I didn't know him personally and I can't vouch for him (or for that matter any other politician). While he was alive he took lots of heat, some justified, some out of sheer malice. I am also sure considering how nasty some bloggers may get there will be derision and toilet humour.
But I want to thank him.

My political awareness started (for better or for worse) with Ayodhaya and Mandal. Ayodhaya gave the Hindus, always made to bicker and fight among themselves by secularist (and tactic approval of a considerable section of muslim intellectuals) a rallying point, Mandal (shorn of all niceties) was and is a danger to me.

It is in this context that I (and many others like me) found resonance with BJP. Ofcourse secularists blame it on fundamentalism, but the simple fact is when you push anyone to wall, make them apologise for what they are they push back, in any way.

BJP for all its shortcomings remain the only party for me which has not cultivated or supported tenured idiots whose single point agenda is to demonize India & Hindus.

It was in this that Pramod Mahajan along with Sushma Swaraj was at forefront. His articulation won BJP many voters especially from the middle class and in his own right he had an all India presence.

The watershed was the 13 day government of A. B. Vajpayee. While it did not last, it achieved moral victory over secularists, who unable to withstand the resurgence of nationalist forces which do not undermine our cultural roots, ganged up for the sake of secularism.

The decision to televise debate was a master stroke and the way Pramod Mahajan and other BJP members put forward their arguments, contrasted with shrillness of left won over many of the middle class.

That debate made us proud. Mahajan and BJP showed there is a way forward for India which does not go through self abasement and Hindu degradation.

Thank you Mr Mahajan and may you find peace.