Iconic political figure Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna remembered on his death anniversary. Demand to accord him Bharat Ratna posthumously

Heartfelt tributes were paid today on the death anniversary of late Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna, one of the top leaders in the history of Indian politics and in view of his immense contribution in the country’s freedom struggle freeing it from the colonial rule before independence including his historic role in saving democracy thereafter. There was also a demand to honour him with the country’s highest civilian honour, Bharat Ratna.

Former president of Aligarh Muslim University Students Union, Supreme Court advocate Z.K. Faizan who was in close proximity to H.N.Bahuguna described him as a brave leader of the freedom struggle including pronouncing him as a personality as unmatched in giving a new direction to the politics after independence and in fighting to protect democracy.

(Writer Sunil Negi , Dhirendra Pratap, Suresh Bhai and other s in the pictures below)

Former Vice Chancellor of Faridabad University, Dr Luqman, described him as one of the most learned leaders of the country who had a deep hold on the people of the country.

Former President of Garhwal University Students Union Yogendra Khanduri, well-known journalist Sunil Negi, former executive councillor of Delhi University Students Union, President of Moti Lal Nehru College , former President of Bar Association of India K. K. Manan, famous advocate, businessman Devendra Sharma, former President of Press Club of India Umakant Lakhera, militant social activist of Muzaffarnagar and disciple of late Bahuguna Yogendra Sharma, former MP Tarif Singh, spokesperson of Kisan Union Yudhveer Singh, and Neel Lohit Das Nadar, the leader of the Parliamentary Party of the Democratic Socialist Party in the Indian Parliament and Harikesh Bahadur, a famous MP of his time, remembered late Bahuguna and said that crores of people have been inspired by his personality and outstanding achievements.

The founder editor of the renowned magazine GFiles and senior journalist Anil Tyagi while paying his richest tributes to the legendary leader and stalwart of his time H.N.Bahuguna said : According to senior journalist Anil Tyagi, founding editor of Zee Files, Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna was one of the few leaders of the country who did not bow before the immense power of #IndiraGandhi. In 1977, Indira Gandhi lost the election from #Rae Bareli, Bahuguna won the election from #Lucknow. Bahuguna’s victory in Garhwal Lok Sabha had not only infuriated Indira Gandhi but the entire Congress. There would hardly be any journalist in Lucknow who has not taken advantage of his versatility.

He died on 17 March 1989 in America. Bahuguna was hurt by the dramebaaz Vishwanath Pratap Singh becoming the Prime Minister.

VP Singh’s staunch opponent Buddh Priya Maurya tore Bahuguna’s air ticket to Bangalore. Bahuguna did not attend VP Singh’s coronation in the Janata Party in Bangalore

In 1977, it was Bahuguna who miraculously brought Babu Jagjivan Ram into the Janata Party alliance by forming Congress for Democracy. Humble tributes write Anil Tyagi, journalist.

Former MP and brilliant student leader of BHU, the former president Harikesh Bahadur said that the personality of late Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna was full of multi-faceted talents. When he used to give speeches, a continuous flow of thoughts used to flow. Every word was full of revolution emphasised Harkesh Bahadur.

He was either roaring for the freedom of the country or he was organising millions of people with his voice to protect democracy in the country. He was a great voice of the poor, the oppressed and the minorities said Harkesh Bahadur.

Sunil Negi , the editor of Uknationews , Director of Press Club of India and president of Uttarakhand Journalists Forum called him the sandalwood of the Himalayas and added that his contribution in saving the democracy and before that in awakening the spirit of independence was praiseworthy and historic.

Dr. Idrish Qureshi, a former general secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee who worked with H.N. Bahuguna in the Youth for Democracy and the Democratic Socialist Party, said India had never seen a true secular leader like Bahuguna.

He was a socialist, a supporter of Dalits and a principled leader who never compromised his political ethics and principles but preferred to give up power and positions. Dr Qureshi said that such leaders are rare these days.

In today’s context, Dhirendra Pratap, while crying over the resignation of Prem Chand Agarwal, called it a shameful incident for the leaders of political background.

He said that the way Premchand Agrawal, a resident of Garhwal like late Hemati Nandan Bahuguna, tarnished the land of braves and then started crying loudly for a small ministerial post, it is a matter of shame that he calls himself a Uttarakhandi.

Another one is defaming the land of brave warriors, the land of people who wrote the saga of bravery like Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali, Govind Ballabh Pant, Vipin Rawat, Dr. Pitambar Dutt Badthwal, Veer Gabbar Singh Bisht and the land which gave birth to a brave man like Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna who resigned from high posts and with his bravery and self-confidence, he even changed the central government; he brought disrepute to that land.

He said that at such a time, the people of the country and especially the people of Uttarakhand should take inspiration from the personality of late Bahuguna as to how on the strength of his self-confidence and courage he rose from a small village to become famous in the politics of the country and only the post of Prime Minister remained untouched by him.
On this occasion, on the proposal of Dhirendra Pratap, a demand was made to the Government of India to honour late Bahuguna with the country’s highest honour, Bharat Ratna, in view of his efforts to save democracy and his great contribution in the freedom struggle before that.

It was said that while he had once given a new dimension to the freedom struggle by getting a reward of ₹10,000 dead or alive registered in his name before independence, at the same time when the lamp of democracy in the country seemed to be extinguished, people in power were making mistakes, Hemati Nandan Bahuguna stepped forward and kept the torch of democracy burning.

This proposal was passed by the entire committee and a two minute silence was observed in his memory to pay emotional tribute to him.

( Former MP and a young parliamentarian , extremely vociferous during Bahuguna’s time in parliament Harkesh Bahadur addressing the audience on the centenary celebrations at Constitution club few years before.)