I oversaw security of Prime Minister Chandrashekhar, this is what I remember about him
As a member of the special protection group (SPG) - the elite professional outfit responsible for the Prime Ministers' security - in addition to looking after the security of other PMs, I oversaw the security of Prime Minister Chandrashekhar, whose term lasted only seven months. But serving him was a great experience, full of professional satisfaction and high motivation, and just seven months left a profound impact on me for multiple reasons.
Today, therefore, I pay tribute to the man of many qualities on the occasion of his tenth death anniversary (July 8), and this date rewinds my memory to share some interesting anecdotes linked to his memory.
He was an extraordinary man whose feet were always firmly on the ground and he relied on his security, according to them immense respect which was hitherto not seen by the security officials guarding various PMs and their families.
Also, Chandrashekhar - he served as the 8th Prime Minister of India from November 10, 1990, to June 21, 1991 - was extremely kind towards the SPG personnel detailed to ensure his security.
For example, in the winter, those deployed at his residence in harsh cold were served hot tea the whole night to keep them warm. Similarly, at any location of his visit, whether in India or abroad (he made only two overseas visits), he would make sure that his security complement was served the same menu. No discrimination whatsoever! Interestingly, his immediate family members also saw to it that we were looked after.
Once I was with him on duty in his constituency. While seeing him off at the helipad, he casually asked me about my next programme. I said I was going to Allahabad to see my aged parents. He took his secretary aside and whispered something and flew off to Delhi.
The secretary loaded the boot of my car with dhoti, sarees (for my parents) and sweets. As I was reluctant to accept, the secretary said these were the PM's express instructions and he had to comply. I was amazed at the magnanimity of the Prime Minister. I was not an exception. He bestowed such generosity on others too, be it security or administration.
Such sterling qualities apart, Chandrashekhar was also a decisive Prime Minister in addressing major issues. Once an IPS officer belonging to a North East cadre lost his wife in an ULFA ambush. Threatened by the insurgents, the officer got himself temporarily transferred to his home state of Bihar. His brother, who was also a very senior IPS officer, met the Prime Minister, requesting for permanent cadre transfer of his brother, threatened by the ULFA.
Chandrashekhar was quick in rejecting the request, saying: "If he has joined the IPS, there are inherent risks involved in the job. If everyone leaves one's trouble-torn cadre on the grounds of personal safety, who will tackle the insurgency?"
Another incident worth sharing is about a group of students meeting him and repeatedly requesting to raise the age limit and number of attempts for the Indian Civil Services Exam. The same batch of students had been meeting Chandrashekhar's predecessor VP Singh (I was with his security too) for the same purpose and each time Singh had promised to do the needful, raising their hopes for a favourable outcome. The matter was, therefore, in limbo and Singh possibly didn't want to lose popularity by maintaining his repeated assurances but remained indecisive on the matter.
Once Chandrashekhar heard the students, he asked his cabinet secretary to look at whether the age limit or number of attempts could be raised. After the secretary got the matter examined and told the PM that it wasn't possible to meet the students' request, Chandrashekhar himself told the students at the next meeting that he couldn’t accommodate their pleas.
The students, who were under the spell of Singh's promises, reacted angrily and when the PM was going to his South Block office, they jumped in front of his motorcade protesting against the decision. The motorcade came to a screeching halt and no other than the PM himself alighted from the car and shouted at the students, reprimanding them that instead of wasting so much time protesting, if they used it to prepare for the examination, there were chances of their selection.
In brief, Chandrashekhar never decided anything for populist gains.
His was a confident man and his body language was always positive and reassuring. Once separatist Akali leader Simranjit Singh Mann paid him a visit. Long swords were not allowed inside the PM's house or office as a security precaution.
However, Chandrashekhar made an exception and allowed Mann to meet him with his sword, exceeding the permitted size. The security officer responsible for the personal safety of the PM decided to keep the door ajar to keep an eye on Mann and his sword, lest they betrayed the host’s trust. He overheard the conversation between the PM and Mann and recounted what he saw and heard.
Mann drew his sword half-way and was showing off. He said: "This sword is my ancestral acquisition and very lethal."
Chandrashekhar replied: "Put it back in the scabbard. In our ancestral home in Ballia, we have a bigger sword than this and it’s even deadlier." The sword and Mann both were put in their place and with such ease.
After attending the cremation of Rajiv Gandhi, Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif had come calling on the Indian PM. Pakistan’s ISI was then (now too) causing problems in Kashmir and fomenting terror.
Chandrashekhar told Sharif very bluntly to rein in his military and refrain from carrying out subversive activities in India. Sharif didn't expect a pointed question put straightaway. He responded haltingly, saying the ISI refused to comply with his instructions and was carrying out such activities on its own. The Pakistani PM also looked visibly ashen while taking this question.
Generosity and boldness were Chandrashekhar's forte. He moved and lived with everyone. Family, friends and even political adversaries. He maintained friendship with all, even if some had a tainted reputation. He never abandoned any friend in good or bad times.
He breathed his last today exactly ten years ago. I have had no contact with him or his family members for 16 years ever since the SPG cover was withdrawn as he ceased to be PM in 1991. On his demise in 2007, I received a call from then home secretary requesting that I meet the former PM’s bereaved family members and convince them that cremation on the banks of the Yamuna (next to Raj Ghat, Shanti Vana, Kisan Ghat, etc) was not possible .
I pleaded with the home secretary that I was no longer in active touch with the family and it was not possible. He, however, asserted that his sources had said only I could prevail over them as I was “close” to them and enjoyed their “trust”.
Complying with the home secretary's request, I met Chandrashekhar's eldest son and put across the request in a diplomatic manner.
He himself was under pressure from the government to choose a different cremation site. Then PM Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi had already spoken to him about this, yet their words had no effect and Chandrashekhar’s last rites were performed where the family wanted. And the family had the support of the common men.
Chandrashekhar did not carry any glamour with him but was simple, straightforward and caring and these are rare qualities for a man of his stature to have. Whatever his political ideology was, for the security personnel he was a sensitive man, showering affection, and my colleagues and I still cherish his memories though ten long years have gone by since he passed away.