Non-Gandhi PMs are forgotten heroes for Govt

SELECTIVE AMNESIA: Centre has no qualms in accepting that Lal Bahadur Shastri has been all but forgotten.

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New Delhi: In a country that spares no opportunity to hail its heroes, it seems that former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri is a forgotten hero. And the government has no qualms in accepting the fact.

In a letter addressed to the Home Ministry, RTI applicant Dev Ashish Bhattacharya wished to know how many advertisements were issued by the government to spread the message of former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri on the occasion of his birthday.

The response by the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting made his worst fears come true – not a single penny had been spent by the government.

"Why this selective treatment? Why this policy of pick and choose to spend money?" wonders Dev Ashish Bhattacharya.

But this has however been a usual practice over the years. Many who don’t wish to be named agree that only those Prime Ministers belonging to the Gandhi/Nehru family have been remembered with full honours, while others have simply been pushed into oblivion.

Anil Shastri, the elder son of Lal Bahadur Shastri, too, is appalled by this continuing tradition.

He contends that his father, who coined what is perhaps the most popular slogan of 20th century India - Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan - deserves a little more respect.

Says Shastri, “This is regrettable. The question posed by most people is, why is he being ignored?"

There are few leaders who are remembered after they have ceased to be in power and even fewer have served as idols and inspired generations. Surely, remembering them one day in a year cannot be too difficult a task for the government.