If you are endowed with some compassion, some humour and some style, you are a surefire success story in the mass politics. Learn it from the Red Book of Akhilesh Yadav, popular socialist leader and former UP CM who this Sunday afternoon reached the vanguard of SheRoes Hangout Lucknow in solidarity with Acid attack survivors who are facing nightmarish situation of evacuation under the callous MYogiAdityanath-led BJP government.
In the picture below sitting to the right of national President of Samajwadi Party is Surendra S Rajput, a Congress leader, spokesperson and a frequent Coffee conversationalist at the famous Hangout. Knowing him for the past eight years I can vouch for his affinity for the cause of acid attack survivors. His presence adds more value to the mission of #SaveSheroes which has energized the urban landscape of heritage city in the recent times.
Equally significant was the presence of Kannauj MP and first leady of socialist heartland Dimple Yadav whose concern for the women fighting harder battle needs no further description. She had been a staunch champion of these women’s and all other fighting harder battle in life.
Both Akhilesh and Dimple have been successful in widening their circle of compassion and embraced all affected victims, whether that be Demonetisation Baby Khazanchi or these acid attack survivors. It was their generous decision to rehabilitate them at the Gomti Nagar premise in front of Ambedkar Memorial Park.
Compassion is the basis of morality. In politics when a whole bunch of politicians are wrestling with configurations of caste and religion, here is youth icon Akhilesh who is setting a benchmark in pathos by extending hands to those who are falling under pressure from an insensitive government.
Akhilesh’s father and socialist patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav who ruled UP three times as Chief Minister had set a precedent in the compassionate politics towards women. It was ‘Netaji’ who ensured old women, widows are entitled to pensions. He also allowed reservation for women in Gram Sabha and Nagar Panchayat for their solid empowerment in a patriarchal social order.
Besides, on top of everything was his landmark and brave decision to field a rape survivor PHOOLAN from Mirzapur Lok Sabha constituency. Nowhere else in the world do we know of such compassionate chapter in politics where a rape survivor was catapulted to the member of Parliament. It was, of course, a remarkably astonishing move by the socialist leader which boosted the self-esteem and aspirations for justice in the marginalised communities of India.
Without any shadow of doubt, the son is following in the footsteps of his legendary father. In more ways than one this is how True Socialism is practised. Humanity is in the heart of Akhilesh and Dimple Yadav. Kudos to them for the magnanimity.