Aadhar Stambh

Krishan Lal Sharma
A Karmayogi Politician

Krishan Lal Sharma had all the attributes of a Karamyogi. A discerning eye always found him at the helm of political and social affairs, rendering invaluable services to the Mother India. His motto in life had always moved him deeply to fight for the cause of humanity and service to the mankind. He was Ajatshatru, friendly even to his opponents. He commanded respect from the party cadres, party leaders and masses alike.

Shri Krishan Lal Sharma was born on November 1, 1925, the year Dr. Hedgewar founded the RSS, in a modest Brahmin family of village Ludhra in Multan (now in Pakistan) situated on the banks of river Ravi. He showed signs of extraordinary talent even as a child. He went to RSS Shakhas since his childhood days. Deeply inspired by the nationalist ideology of the RSS he came into contact with Vibhag Pracharak Shri Lekh Raj at Mian Channu where he was working with Punjab National Bank after graduating from Punjab University.

He became Sangh Pracharak in May 1946 in the OTC (Officers Training Camp) held at Ahmedabad. He joined RSS at a time when the country was charged with the spirit of Quit India Movement and two-nation theory was also doing rounds.

Shri Sharma's life as Sangh Pracharak had not been easy. Yet it did not deter him in carrying out organisational work. He was one of the participants at Phagwara OTC held in July and August of 1947. OTC had to be abruptly terminated because partition of country was followed by the frightening communal violence. He was then a Tehsil Prachark at Shujabad in Multan district. Communications were disrupted and hardly any transport was available for Multan. Shri Sharma reached Amritsar where to his surprise a special train was carrying Muslim students of Medical College to various destinations in Pakistan. He started his journey to Multan as a Muslim medical student. The moment he reached Lahore railway station he could see the incidents of blood shed and massacre. Undeterred and unnerved by the tragic indiscriminate killing, in the guise of a Muslim Medical College Student he reached Shujabad in Multan on August 16, 1947.

Immediately after the partition and in pursuance to transfer of population policy the evacuation process was intensified. As Sikhs could easily be identified, under the leadership of Sharmaji, it was decided to evacuate Sikh families first and he along with 14 other Swayamsewaks were to leave for India only after all other families had left.

After working for relief and rescue of the people during transfer of population Shri Krishan Lal Sharma reached India in November 1947. He then actively participated in relief and rehabilitation work among refugees from Pakistan at Kalanaur Jhajjar and Bahadurgarh in district Rohtak where he was working as Pracharak. He was detained on Januray 30,1948 when RSS was banned after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. He was lodged in different jails of Rohtak Ambala, Hissar and Yol Camp for ten months.

His political career began in 1964 when he became the Organizing Secretary of Bharatiya Jana Sangh Punjab and later on he became All India Organising Secretary of Northern region.

On June 25, 1975 when Emergency was declared Sharmaji went underground. He was arrested on August 29 and detained in Ferozpur Jail. On the very first day of his detention in Jail he penned a poem "Woh Kaala Din". He was released after 17 months when Emergency was lifted. Janata Party came into power in 1977 and Sharmaji became the Supervisor of Janata Party affairs, Northern Zone.

Bharatiya Janata Party came into existence after the failure of Janata experiment on April 6, 1980. Sharmaji was given the charge of party Secretary. In 1990 he was elected to Rajya Sabha from Himachal Pradesh and also became the BJP Vice-president in the year 1991. He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1996 from Outer Delhi constituency defeating his opponent Congress candidate by a margin of more than 2.5 lakh votes. He was re-elected from the same constituency for the second term in 1998 Lok Sabha elections.

Shri Sharma worked in various capacities proving his immense caliber and character. In politics he was known for his high moral values.

On December 17, 1999 he died of cardiac arrest. He never had a home or reared any family as he dedicated his entire life to the service of the Nation. Though he is no more in this mortal world yet his memories and good work will always remain alive in the hearts of thousands of party karyakartas.

(Based on excerpts from the book " A Karma Yogi Politician " by M G Chitkara)