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National

Songster’s poll plunge

Sarabjit Pandher
Jalandhar

HANS RAJ HANS

PARTY: Shiromani Akali Dal

CONSTITUENCY: Jalandhar

STATE: Punjab

MISSION STATEMENT: Let new thoughts from new people make the difference in the running of the State

Hans Raj Hans is a household name in Punjab, a folk singer who can hold audiences spellbound with his Sufi, Punjabi and Indipop songs.

From humble beginnings — he was born to an agricultural labourer in a mud house at Shafipur village near Jalandhar — he has risen through sheer talent.

His Padma Shri award is testimony to his contribution in the field of music.

Mr. Hans is now making news having chosen to break ground in an altogether different field — politics.

He is contesting the Jalandhar Lok Sabha seat on a ticket from the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal, against a seasoned politician, Mohinder Singh Kaypee of the Congress.

Considered the heart of the Doab region, Jalandhar, with its legendary sports industry, has been represented by former Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral, who won the seat in 1998, when the Akali Dal supported the “first Punjabi Prime Minister.”

After the recent delimitation, Jalandhar, which spans nine Assembly seats with an electorate of little over 13.35 lakh was declared a reserved (SC) seat, which forced the sitting MP, Rana Gurjeet Singh to shift to the neighbouring Khadoor Sahib seat. The Akali party, which had never groomed a regular politician from the reserved category for this seat, decided to cash in on the popularity of Mr. Hans, who has been awarded the title of “Raj Gayak” (State singer) and heads the Sufi seat of Lal Badshah ‘Darvesh’ at Nakodar.

“But my real award shall be when the farmers of the region weigh me against the golden ears of wheat and the poor voluntarily weigh me in coins they have earned,” he says.

During his visits to the villages, Mr. Hans is shaken that even after 60 years of Independence, many Punjabis live in difficult conditions. “The Congress has had the maximum opportunity to deliver the people from suffering. Yet it has failed,” he says, explaining his decision to join the Akali Dal, which he feels follows the principle of “Sarbat da Bhala” (well-being of the entire universe).

While he is open to debating issues, Mr. Hans refuses to be drawn into any mudslinging. Responding to criticism that he is “just a singer,” Mr. Hans reminds his detractors that “sangeet” (music) has always been associated with the “sangat” (people). He believes that if India is to progress, people from all spheres of life must participate in the decision-making process.

Mr. Hans is concerned by the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the rising prices, scarcity of food, rising unemployment and increasing drug addiction.

He says it is worrying that people are losing confidence in politicians’ ability to deliver the goods. “I want to bring about a change in how people perceive issues related to their welfare,” he says with his signature smile.

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