India's former Prime Minister, the beloved Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was celebrated not just for his statesmanship but also for his legendary wit. On the occasion of his 101st birth anniversary, a charming and previously lesser-known anecdote from his life came to light, showcasing his sharp humour in the face of a delicate diplomatic moment.
The Proposal from Lahore
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while addressing an event on Thursday, narrated an incident from one of Vajpayee's visits to Lahore. Singh recalled that a Pakistani woman journalist, deeply impressed by Vajpayee's powerful speech, proposed to him. However, her proposal came with a significant geopolitical condition.
"Inspired by his speech, a Pakistani reporter said she was ready to marry him, but sought ceding of Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan in Mehr," Singh recounted. Mehr is the mandatory payment in Islamic marriage made by the groom to the bride.
Vajpayee's Legendary Riposte
Never one to be outmanoeuvred, Atal Bihari Vajpayee responded with a smile and a retort that instantly became the stuff of legend. He turned the tables with a counter-proposal of his own.
"Madam, I am ready to marry you, but in return, I want Pakistan as dowry," Vajpayee quipped. The response drew immediate laughter and applause from the audience, perfectly defusing the situation with humour while firmly asserting India's stance on Kashmir.
This incident perfectly encapsulated Vajpayee's unique way with words. He was widely admired across political parties for his oratory skills and was also an accomplished poet, known for his patriotic and humanist compositions.
A Statesman's Legacy of Peace and Conflict
The Lahore visit where this exchange occurred was a landmark moment in Indo-Pak relations. In 1999, Vajpayee undertook a historic bus journey to Lahore and embraced Pakistan's then Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif. This gesture was hailed as a powerful symbol of hope for lasting peace between the two neighbours.
However, the bonhomie was tragically short-lived. Just months later, the Pakistan Army initiated a covert operation to infiltrate troops into the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir. This aggression triggered the Kargil War, a limited conflict that Pakistan ultimately lost, dealing a severe blow to the peace process Vajpayee had championed.
On his birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rashtra Prerna Sthal, a national memorial dedicated to Vajpayee. Constructed at an approximate cost of Rs 230 crore and spread across 65 acres, it stands as a landmark of enduring national significance, honouring the legacy of a leader who combined profound vision with a delightful sense of humour.
