The Hindu : National : V.P. Singh a champion of social justice

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Nov 28, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

National

National

V.P. Singh a champion of social justice

Anita Joshua

His empathy for weaker sections will always be etched in national consciousness: Manmohan

He was highly sensitive to social realities: Somnath
A leader who stood for principled politics: CPI(M)

— Photo: R.V. Moorthy

Railway Minister Lalu Prasad paying homage to the departed former Prime Minister V.P. Singh in New Delhi on Thursday.

NEW DELHI: Leaders from across the political spectrum were one in hailing the former Prime Minister, V.P. Singh, as a champion of social justice and secularism who was willing to sacrifice the highest office for his convictions.

In his condolence message, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the country had lost a great patriot and nation-builder whose empathy for the weaker sections would always be etched in national consciousness.

“As Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and later as Finance Minister and Prime Minister, he consistently strove to translate his convictions into public policy. Even after being afflicted with a debilitating disease, he continued to be at the forefront of the struggle for social justice.”

Ansari’s condolence

Vice-President Hamid Ansari said V.P. Singh had carved a niche for himself as an honest and dedicated parliamentarian.

Recalling his long association with Mr. Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said: “He had always been highly sensitive to the social realities of the country and he refused to compromise when the secular fabric of the country was sought to be threatened and readily sacrificed the prime ministership for the sake of the unity and integrity of the country.”

While the Congress described him as a leading political light of several decades, the BJP remembered Mr. Singh for his high level of personal integrity and commitment for the cause of social justice.

“He was a leader who set certain norms for himself and lived by them,” said BJP leader Arun Jaitley.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) hailed Mr. Singh as one of the few contemporary political leaders who stood for principled politics. “The country has lost a leader of rare distinction and commitment,” the CPI(M) said in a statement.

Condoling his death, the CPI said he was one of the rarest politicians who did not forget the mandate of the electorate while in office. “It is a matter of shame that the Congress and the BJP had combined together to remove him from office.”

Secular nationalist

Mourning the passing away of a comrade-in-arms against the Rajiv Gandhi dispensation, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad described Mr. Singh as a truly secular nationalist who was committed to people’s welfare and national development.

“Throughout his life, he constantly strove for the betterment of the poorest among poor, especially those who belonged to the deprived sections of society and minorities.”

According to Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, India has lost a distinguished and an eminent social and political leader who had actively participated in the Bhoodan Movement and worked hard for the uplift of the socially disadvantaged sections of society.

“Committed activist”

Janata Dal (United) president Sharad Yadav — who was a Minister in Mr. Singh’s cabinet — remembered him as a committed activist for social change and a crusader against corruption. “In his death, the country has lost an honest politician, a statesman and a true champion of social justice and secularism.”

Another fellow traveller and Union Minister S. Jaipal Reddy said Mr. Singh gave a new dimension and new direction to the Indian polity by supporting empowerment of marginalised sections through the electoral process and affirmative action.

“He will for long be remembered as a champion of communal harmony and social justice.”

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National

News Update

Stories in this Section