In ‘Pranab, My Father’, Sharmistha Mukherjee offers an intimate look at her father, India’s 13th President, Pranab Mukherjee.
Hisila Yami
Published at : August 31, 2024
Updated at : August 31, 2024 07:11
Sharmistha Mukherjee’s book, ‘Pranab, My Father’, has compelled me to compare India’s 13th president Pranab Mukherjee with our leaders from different times, including Sher Bahadur Deuba, KP Oli, and Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Although they belong to different countries, they operate within similar political cultures.
Mukherjee’s writing is clear and rhythmic, which is no surprise given her background as a Kathak dancer. She also takes a frank and critical approach to introducing her father, influenced by her brief political career before she left politics entirely.
Although India operates under a different federal system (two-tier) and electoral system (FPTP) than Nepal, our parliamentary, judiciary, and governance systems share similarities with India’s. Therefore, reading ‘Pranab, My Father’ will be informative for Nepali readers, including academicians, media professionals, and leaders.
Pranab Mukherjee was a towering figure in Indian politics, from his election to the Rajya Sabha in 1969 to his election as President in 2012. Over his career, he served as a Member of Parliament for 37 years, led the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, held various ministerial portfolios for 22 years, and served as President for five years. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2019.
Mukherjee was deeply committed to his work and confident in his knowledge, so much so that he often resigned but was repeatedly persuaded by his leaders to stay. As a former lecturer, he approached politics with the seriousness of a teacher, frequently reminding MPs about the importance of attending parliament. One of his biggest concerns was the opposition’s tendency to disrupt proceedings. Mukherjee was not only a mentor to his party members but also made himself available to opposition leaders. He believed it was better to have a strong opposition party than a weak governing one.
The former President left behind 51 volumes of diary writings, covering 1946 to 2020, though some earlier diaries were lost. A true bookworm, he once told his daughter to read five books before discussing politics with him. Known for his high standards, Mukherjee even instructed a journalist to read all parliamentary committee reports before interviewing him. He often reprimanded journalists who approached him with incomplete information or shallow knowledge.
Despite his heavy responsibilities and commitments, Mukherjee was known for his temper. In one instance, he reportedly made Mamata Banerjee, then Chief Minister of West Bengal, cry, as she had never experienced such anger. His wife, Geeta, bore the brunt of his introverted, bookish, and politically driven life. She managed his short temper by singing Bengali songs and cooking Bengali dishes, offering comfort in their personal life.
A seasoned politician, Mukherjee viewed politics as a lifelong commitment. As early as the 1970s, he was already documenting the traits of a successful political activist in his diary: one must always be alert, active, objective, and, most importantly, able to absorb disappointments. He advised his daughter to visit the party office daily, even just to stare blankly at the wall.
Mukherjee believed that personal relationships should not influence political decisions, which made him equally acceptable to all political forces and helped him win elections for various posts, including the Presidency.
Mukherjee was a true secular leader who upheld the spirit of his country’s constitution. Though a devout believer in God, he never imposed his beliefs on his secular daughter, Sharmistha. His principles were so strong that he refused to support his party’s bill on the controversial Muslim personal law against Shah Banu. He was also critical of Rajiv Gandhi’s decision to unlock the main gate of the disputed Babri Masjid mosque.
Mukherjee had a unique ability to see things from others’ perspectives and deeply respected his country’s diversity, actively fighting to preserve it.
However, during Indira Gandhi’s tenure, Mukherjee supported the emergency rule in the 1970s. He stood by her side, strongly supporting her even during her election defeat and detention in the 1980s.
His strong character made him feared by his leaders and peers, earning him the reputation of “a man who knew too much” in the media. This led to envy and frequent sidelining, forcing him to deescalate his activities. At his lowest point, he was even expelled from his party. After a brief stint with a new party, Mukherjee rejoined his old party, returning with more patience, resilience, and self-reflection.
Mukherjee’s life reflects his unwavering commitment to his party’s political values, respect for parliamentary norms, and dedication to good governance in India. Even as President, he refrained from interfering in parliamentary or party matters. His story offers valuable lessons for populist leaders who often oversimplify issues and believe that a single hero can solve a country’s complex problems.
This book is also essential for today’s apolitical youth, who may overlook the complexities of running a political party and the importance of understanding history.
Nepal’s strategic geopolitical position makes it increasingly significant amid the growing competition for resources in Asia and the escalating conflict between the USA and China. In this context, Nepal needs holistic, empathetic, accommodating, principled leaders with a long-term vision. We cannot afford instability or naïve, incompetent leadership.
Lastly, considering China as our good neighbour, it would be valuable to explore successful Chinese leaders’ personal and political lives, whether through their writings or those of their children. This could offer insights that benefit Nepal’s leadership and governance.
Yami is a former minister.
–
PRANAB, MY FATHER
Author: Sharmistha Mukherjee
Publisher: Rupa Publications India
Year: 2023
Hisila Yami
Yami is a former minister.