Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Legacy Endures in Lucknow's Muslim Community After Two Decades

The city was adorned with posters of Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Wednesday, marking his birth centenary. Vajpayee, who served as a Member of Parliament for Lucknow for five consecutive terms, was fondly remembered by many, including the Muslim community. Despite their reservations about the BJP, they often voted for him due to his unmatched stature and appeal.

Vajpayee's Influence in Lucknow

Lucknow has long been associated with Vajpayee, who left active politics after the 2004 elections due to illness. His legacy continues to influence local politics. Rajnath Singh, the current MP and Defence Minister, and former MP Lalji Tandon often referenced Vajpayee in their speeches to connect with voters. Tandon even campaigned with Vajpayee’s footwear in 2009.

Athar Nabi, a notable event organiser in Lucknow, formed an 'Atal Fan Club' with members from the minority community. They campaigned for Vajpayee in Muslim-majority areas. The club included prominent Urdu poets who supported Vajpayee, transcending communal barriers. Sarvesh Asthana, a poet from Lucknow, recalled how these poets campaigned for him.

Memorials and Tributes

Lucknow is filled with tributes to Vajpayee, from a 25-ft bronze statue at Lok Bhavan to the Atal Chauraha crossing. On Wednesday, another statue was unveiled in the city's old area. In 2021, Rajnath Singh reprimanded BJP workers for omitting Vajpayee's photo from promotional materials during a visit to Lucknow.

Manoj Kumar Singh, a senior bureaucrat in Uttar Pradesh, remembered Vajpayee's belief in dialogue over conflict. "He would often say that ‘na goli se na bandook se, baat banegi boli se neither with guns nor bullets, talks would happen through dialogue," Singh shared at a centenary event. This approach earned Vajpayee the title ‘Ajaatshatru,’ meaning one without enemies.

Vajpayee's Literary Contributions

Vajpayee was also known for his poetry. One of his early poems declared his identity as a Hindu. Before undergoing surgery in the US in 1988, he expressed his anxiety through poetry. In a letter to Dharamvir Bharti, he wrote about facing death with courage: "Thun gayi, maut se than gayi... I was in no mood to fight since I never knew what lay in store."

Bookseller Manav Prakash noted that books about Vajpayee are popular in Lucknow. "His name is synonymous with Lucknow," Prakash said. Vajpayee's charisma inspired many young BJP workers like Shailendra Sharma to emulate him. Sharma recounted how Vajpayee advised him to develop his own identity instead of mimicking him.

Vajpayee served as India's Prime Minister three times: briefly in 1996, then from 1998-1999 and 1999-2004. He was the first non-Congress leader to complete a full term. His leadership style and persona continue to inspire admiration and respect across India today.