Chitrakoot (Madhya Pradesh) [India], February 27 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that Bharat Ratna 'Rashtra Rishi' Nanaji Deshmukh's behaviour and values will remain ideal principles for politicians for generations to come.
Addressing a public rally in Madhya Pradesh's Chitrakoot on the 15th death anniversary program of Bharat Ratna 'Rashtra Rishi' Nanaji Deshmukh, Shah said that the Jan Sangh leader's life will impact the lives of many for generations.
"Nanaji established many such principles in politics through his behaviour, his hard work, and his values, which I believe will remain ideal principles for politicians for generations to come," Shah stated.
Praising Nanaji for his contributions in the social and political arena, Shah said, "We are here to pay homage to Nanaji. Some people's lives are such that they don't just have an impact for a few years but for generations (yugas). They work for the transformation of the yuga. Nanaji was one of them."
He also reflected on Jan Sangh leader's early life. "Nanaji was born in Maharashtra and was a Swayamsevak. He made Uttar Pradesh his Karyakshetra. He became the General Secretary of the Jan Sangh, became a leader, and played a significant role in spreading the Jan Sangh in Uttar Pradesh."
Shah said that Nanaji was one of the rare leaders who was respected by leaders from other ideologies and parties.
"It is difficult to stay in politics with everyone's consent (Sarbasammati), but no one dared to oppose Nanaji... He had relations with all sectors like art, culture, and others. I think it is difficult to do all this in one life," the Union Home Minister added.
He also shared the relationship between Nanaji Deshmukh and Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya.
He also said that the NDA government at the Centre has provided all basic amenities to the 60 crore people in the country.
"In these ten years, Narendra Modi's government has provided homes, toilets, drinking water, cooking gas, 5 kg of grains, electricity at home, and 5 lakh rupees insurance to 60 crore poor people," he said.
He then attacked Congress, alleging that they framed policies inspired by Western ideologies.
"When India got independence, policies were being framed. Those who respected India were astonished because India's foreign policy, economic policy, and education policy were not based on India's cultural roots. All policies were framed after taking inspiration from Western countries. Jawaharlal Nehru's Congress was satisfied after framing those policies," he added.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav was also present during the occasion.
Yadav said, "... Nanaji envisioned self-reliance in villages and took a pledge to serve in backward areas... Nanaji took a pledge and worked to bring this entire pilgrimage place alive..."
Notably, Nanaji Deshmukh was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna by the Government of India in 2022.