Kalyan Singh’s Padma Vibhushan causes a glorious meltdown in the liberal camp

A day before the 73rd Republic Day, the government of India, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the list of Padma Awardees who will be conferred with amongst the highest civilian awards later this year by the President of India. As soon as the list was released, one name stood out and it was the name of former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Kalyan Singh. The government will be conferring the posthumous Padma Vibhushan award to the tall BJP leader.  

As soon as the list was released, the opposition quickly went up in arms about conferring the Padma award to a leader that played a pivotal part in the construction of Ram Mandir. However, much like Kalyan Singh, the government remained steadfast on its decision, setting the posteriors of the liberals on fire.  

Clown journalist Rajdeep Sardesai, took to twitter and wrote: “Since we are a nation with short memories, don’t forget late Kalyan Singh was UP chief minister when the Babri Masjid was demolished in 1992, an act described as ‘criminal’ by the Supreme Court, his role under scanner. Today, he gets the country’s second highest civilian award.”

One netizen named Samiullah Khan stooped low and compared a man like Kalyan Singh who fought for dharma with UAPA accused Sharjeel Imam and wrote, ” My name is Sharjeel imam, I’m an IITIAN, I’m in Indian Jail since 2 year’s, Because im a Muslim. But the Criminal of Babri Masjid, symbol of hatred politics “Kalyan Singh” awarded #PadmaVibhushan. A Very happy ” Banana Republic Of Hindutva ” to All of you.”

https://twitter.com/SamiullahKhan__/status/1486214370766258177?s=20

Another “Twitter warrior” Bhavika Kapoor, tweeted, “Kalyan Singh was a criminal in the eyes of law. SC said Babri demolition was an illegal action, and he was erstwhile CM, therefore he was a culprit.
But, Glorifying the criminals is an old habit of sanghis.”

A man for the cause of Dharma

Kalyan Singh departed for the higher abode after battling a long bout of hospitalization last August. He was the leader of the first BJP government formed in Uttar Pradesh in the early 90s and immortalized himself in the history books for his selfless and unapologetic devotion for the cause of Dharma when the Babri Masjid was demolished in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992, by the ‘Karsevaks’. 

Born on 5 January 1932 in Harigarh (Aligarh for Liberal cabal) Kalyan Singh was inclined towards the cause of nationalism from the beginning. Being a student, he was a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). 

He took his baby steps in the political arena through the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1967 when he defeated the Congress candidate from his hometown Atrauli by 4351 votes and, a star was born. 

He went on to hold this seat from 1967 to 1977 as a Bharatiya Jana Sangh candidate and again from 1985 to 1996 as a Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate.

December 6, 1992 – a day and a decision that changed the fate of the country

Kalyan Singh is credited for bringing BJP into the fold of Uttar Pradesh politics. It was Kalyan Singh who spearheaded the first BJP government in any state after the government came to power in 1991, the first-ever victory for the party in a state election.

However, on December 6, 1992, an incident shaped the national politics of the country, for the decades to come. A huge crowd of ‘Kar sevaks’ and Sanatanis surrounded the disputed area from all sides. 

The then Indian Home Minister Shankarrao Chavan informed Kalyan Singh that the ‘Kar sevaks’ had reached near the dome of the Babri Masjid. However, Kalyan Singh refused to allow the bullets to be fired on the Kar sevaks and preferred to resign from the CM post. 

An astute figure always proud of his decisions

Singh in an interview famously said, “I am not sorry for the demolition of the structure. Nor do I feel any contrition for it. No regrets, no repentance, no sorrow, no grief. Following the demolition of the controversial structure, many regard the event as a matter of national shame but I say that it is a matter of national pride.” 

In his second stint as the chief minister of UP, the state government withdrew cases against those accused of demolishing Babri Masjid. He further stated that Ram Mandir would be built at the same place if BJP comes to power at the centre. Later in 2020, a special CBI court also relieved him of all charges of Babri demolition on him. 

Read More: Kalyan Singh – the first and the original Sigma Male of India

Even in 2020, during an interview, Kalyan Singh expressed that he was still proud of his decision, “That day (December 6) amid the build-up, I got a call from the district magistrate of Ayodhya saying that nearly 3.5 lakh karsewaks had assembled. I was told that central forces were on their way to the temple town but their movement was halted by karsewaks outside Saket college. I was asked whether to order firing (on karsewaks) or not. I denied permission in writing and said in my order, which is still there on the files, that firing would lead to the loss of many lives, chaos and law and order issues across the country.” 

Kalyan Singh’s last wish was to see Ram Mandir come up in Ayodhya before his death and reborn in the temple town once again. While Singh might have departed before the Gates of Ram Mandir are open, he certainly would be remembered as the man who gave Dharma and his ideology absolutely everything and not once wavered on it.  

Read more: A timeline of how Babri Masjid was demolished brick by brick, hammer after hammer

A true champion and a rare breed of politician that kept his beliefs hoisted even through the bleakest of times. If there was anyone that deserved the Padma Vibushan, none comes as closer as Kalyan Singh. Rest in Power Sir.