On Friday, former Prime Minister and stalwart BJP leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee was cremated with full state honor at Smriti Sthal on the banks of Yamuna river in Delhi. While many people wanted the incumbent Prime Minister Modi, the rightful political heir, protégé of late Atal Ji, to perform late former PM’s last rites but it was Atal Ji’s adopted daughter Namita Bhattacharya who lighted the funeral pyre.
This was heartwarming visual for two reasons. First, in the popular imagination it is believed that in Hinduism only a son can perform the last rites. It is a huge misconception. There are absolutely no restrictions on daughters performing the last rites in Hinduism. In the past, Pankaja Munde, daughter of late Gopinath Munde, had performed his last rites.
The left-liberal gang always levels the allegation that Hinduism is a male-dominated religion. However, nothing could be farther from the truth as the aforementioned incidents show that how progressive and inclusive Hinduism is. It gives equal space to everyone and it has no problem in doing away with age old corrupt practices which have no place in the modern world. Namita Bhattacharya performing his father’s last rites was a testament to the inclusivity and progressive values of Hindu Dharma.
Secondly, leftist-liberal, self-declared intellectuals and few sections of media often label RSS-BJP as misogynist and patriarchal (despite evidences suggesting the contrary). The lighting of Atal Ji’s funeral pyre by his adopted daughter Namita certainly gives a huge blow to these baseless allegations.
On the other hand darling of liberals-leftists and so-called progressive people-Jawaharlal Nehru- his funeral pyre was lit by his youngest grandson Sanjay Gandhi and not by Indira Gandhi.
Few people tried to use the episode of Namita Bhattacharya performing last rites of his beloved father to push their anti-Hindu agenda but they were quickly shown their right place. People on social media were quick to expose their lack of knowledge about Hinduism.
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Atal Ji is survived by his adopted daughter and grand daughter. He had always remained a bachelor and never married. His adopted daughter Namita Bhattacharya is the daughter of his classmate and his friend Rajkumari Kaul.
Namita Bhattacharya is married to Ranjan Bhattacharya who also worked as an Officer on Special Duty, while his father-in-law Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister of India. The couple is blessed with one daughter named Neharika.
The family association between the Kauls and Vajpayee is very old. It dates back to his Gwalior days. After the demise of Rajkumari Kaul’s husband, Brij Narain Kaul, her family became an inseparable and an integral part of Vajpayee’s life.
Entire nation is still in a state of shock and is mourning the demise of beloved leader and former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He was one of the tallest leaders Indian politics has ever seen. His legacy of true statesmanship, untainted political career, humility and undying love for the nation lives on.