Reviving Memories: A Day with Shri B. L. Sharma (Prem Singh Sher) and Smt Krishna Sharma

Having known Shri B.L. Sharma (Prem Singh Sher), the veteran VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) leader and former BJP MP (Member of Parliament) of two times, since the last ten years, I thought of paying him a visit at his residence in New Delhi. Babuji (Prem Singh ji) received me with warm smile and greeted me in Bengali, “ki khub valo?” Mataji brought me a steaming cup of tea and biscuits and started asking about the situation in Bengal.

Smt, Krishna Sharma (wife of Shri B.L. Sharma) proved the fact that behind every successful man, there is a woman who acts as his source of inspiration. Being an active member of the Rashtriya Sevika Samity, when she was in Pakistan (1937), she also heads the Bharatiya Shikshak Mandal and a strong activist in Shiksha Bachao Andolan. She stated that when she was associated with JanSangh (the erstwhile name of Bharatiya Janata Party), people had more patriotic feelings. They used to go without food even for days to serve the nation. Gradually, the feeling evaporated and workers seemed to be more interested in personal luxuries. But, with Modi Sarkar, it seems that feeling of nationalism is returning. Krishna ji was associated with Hindu Education Society as a teacher, four of which were central govt. aided. Following Former Prime Minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi’s death, when the Sikhs were being massacred, she gave shelter to several students at her Lodhi Colony residence.

When I talked about pseudo-secularism and misuse of it in Indian politics, she cited a very good example. She said, secularism exists in every family. My husband worships Lord Shiva, my daughter believes in Osho, while I am a Vishnu bhakt. Our idols are different, ways of prayer are different, but we do not have any issue regarding that. Follow the ten lakshanam of dharma and love your country. Country first and everything comes last. - If this can be followed by every Indian, then there won’t be any scope for riots or clashes.

Her message to the youths of India- do with full dedication whatever you are involved with. Keep away from addiction, keep in mind that whatever you are doing, is for the betterment of your nation.

While devouring scrumptious kachori and sabji, I asked Shri Prem ji certain incidents of his life.

Sumita: Premji, since when you are involved with this nationalist party? Tell some incidents about the Partition Period.

Premji: I was a sayamsevak in RSS since 1940. I was the Sangh Pracharak from 1945 to 1948. Very few people are aware of the fact that under the constituent assemblies of 1946-47, ninety-three percent Muslins demanded for Pakistan. Mass murder and rape started in West Punjab and East Bengal (Bangladesh), especially at the Noakhali district and Calcutta (Kolkata) on Direct Action Day’ 1946. As a result, Hindus also reacted and started to drive away the Muslims. Mahatma Gandhi used to say, Pakistan will be formed on my dead body only. Pakistan was not formed on his dead body, but yes, on millions of Hindu corpses. When the Muslims were being driven out from Hindusthan, then the Congress govt. became very anxious. They started thinking that people will go against us. With the help of the Imam of Mecca, they made an announcement that if Muslims would vote for Congress, then they will get shelter. On the basis of that announcement, the Muslims stayed back in the country.

We now have 8 zillas of our country in Sindh, 17 zillas in East Bengal (Bangladesh), 26 zillas in West Punjab, 4 in Rajasthan (Kota), 3.5 zilla in Pakistan occupied Kashmir. In addition to this, 218 temples and gurudwaras got included in Pakistan. The only motto in a true Indian would be to free these from the clutches of Pakistan.

Sumita: From where do you gain inspiration to draw out such energy?

Premji: I always think of myself as a sangh-sevak. Neither I tried to get ticket, never appeased anyone, nor I have any bank balance. I always stick to the training RSS has given me- “aapne liye sabse kam, rashtram sarbapekhsha” (Most things for the nation, least for self). Organized the RSS for many years, had been Member of Parliament twice, lead Bharatiya Mazdoor Sanstha (DNS), had been mahamatri of VHP for 11 years- in all these things my inspiration or bank balance have been my colleague karyakartas. My wife, Smt. Krishna Sharma is also a great source of inspiration in my life.

Sumita: Is there any memorable incident that you witnessed during the Partition?

Premji: I was the RSS pracharak of Sakargar Tehsil, which is now in Pakistan. At that time, 1500 women (completely naked) came to me. They had been raped and left like that by the Muslims. They wanted shelter and wanted me to take them to India. I was perplexed and did not know what to do. I started with them toward India. On the way, at Dogra regiment, the army officer, Capt. Des Rao Sharma on seeing the plight of the women, called the Sikh regiment. The Sikh regiment officers took off their pagris and with those clothes, the women could cover their bodies. They were given shelter in the sharnarthi camp.

Sumita: Bengal is nowadays, witnessing Islamic terrorism all across. Why these people are becoming enemies of the nation?

Premji: I will answer this with an instance. Once, there had been riots in Pune. Dr. Hedgewar was alive at that time. Some people said, “Rasthra shatruyone danga kiya. Unko sazaa milni chahiye” (the enemies of the nation started this riot. They should be punished). Dr. Hedgewar answered, “Dekho, rashtra shatru to who hota hain, jinka rashtra ho. Yeh rashtra-drohi hain”. (See, enemies of a nation are those people who have a nation. These are all betrayers).

Sumita: Though we have seen a landslide victory in India, but in Bengal, BJP is still lagging behind. What do you think can be done for this?

Premji: I think the main reason is BJP does not have that much influence or communication in the lowest, grass-root level. The communists had worked in those sectors. If BJP can penetrate in the lowest strata of the society, victory will surely come. Bengal has always been a revolutionary state. This soil has given birth to Shri Ramkrishna Paramhansa Dev, His disciple, Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Dr. Shyamaprasad Mukherjee, Rishi Bankim Chandra Chatterjee (author of Anandmath), Aurobindo Ghosh, Batukeshwar Dutta, and many more. Kranti or Revolution does not mean to shed blood only. Revolution in true sense means to uproot poverty from its root. Bengal’s youths can do anything they want.

Sumita: Babuji, any message for us?

Premji: The inspiration behind all my energy is the verses of Swami Vivekananda, which says,

Jab aap achhai karoge to log aapko khudgarz kehenge

Fir bhi achhai karo

Aap jo achhai aaj karoge, kal log use vul jayenge

Fir bhi achhai karo

Aap ki imandari, aur dil ki safai se shatru labh utha sakte hain

Fir bhi imandaar bano aur dil saaf rakho

Mahantam bicharuwale, mahantam vyakti ko

tuchh bicharon wale tuch vyakti maar sakte hain

fir bhi mahan bicharon ko dharan karo

Author Bio: +

Sumita Basu, an IT professional, freelance journalist, and creative writer, is actively involved in social work like, movement against cow-slaughter and cow-transport, literacy camps, health camps, flood relief, etc. Having degrees & diplomas in Bio-Science, English, Management, and Computer Applications, she has interests in several subjects like Science, Philosophy, Sociology, History, Archeology, and others. She is the State Co-Convener of BJP Cow Development Cell, West Bengal.