With the general elections approaching, slugfest across political parties is being more evident. It won’t surprise many to see political opponents expressing differing opinions, shouting and passing remarks that cross decency and are uncouth. There are a very few surprising moments in Indian politics where political opponents despite their differences come together and behave as friends. Setting a good example of a politically diverse and healthy democracy, on January 1, after the budget was announced, political leaders across party lines were seen together.
On Friday, the Union Minister for Food Processing, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, and her husband, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, Sukhbir Singh Badal, hosted annual lunch at their residence in Delhi. The lunch was for the parliamentarians and many political leaders joined.
The bigwigs who attended this lunch include Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Nirmala Sitharaman, Smriti Irani etc., Even Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar and his daughter Supriya Sule, DMK MP Kanimozhi and National Conference(NC) Chairman Farooq Abdullah were seen at the event.
A video has gone viral in which women politicians Smriti Irani, Supriya Sule, Kanimozhi, Kirron Kher and others are seen laughing and playing games.
The video of women holding each other’s hands to whirl and play was posted by Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal.
Life worked its magic on us yesterday afternoon, when a routine lunch became a trip to childhood. @smritiirani @KirronKherBJP @AnupriyaSPatel @KanimozhiDMK @supriya_sule pic.twitter.com/PEyJMEzL7r
— Harsimrat Kaur Badal (@HarsimratBadal_) February 1, 2019
Many others posted the pictures of the lunch on Twitter.
Thank You Badal’s for the Lovely Lunch- Sarsoon Ka Saag and Makai Ki Roti ☺ @harsimrat_kaur_badal @ Delhi, India@supriya_sule pic.twitter.com/nCW8AYemut
— प्रमोद गायकवाड पाटील (@gaikwadpramod11) January 31, 2019
At harsimrat kaur badal lunch in New Delhi. Express photo @anilsharma07 pic.twitter.com/u8ZmjonsMu
— anil sharma (@anilsharma07) January 30, 2018
Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, MoS Food processing, at Harsimrat Kaur-Sukhbir Badal lunch pic.twitter.com/HU3NZoKfuW
— Shubhajit Roy (@ShubhajitRoy) February 23, 2015
At harsimrat kaur-sukhbir badal's lunch high table @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/y6fvFbXwrd
— Shubhajit Roy (@ShubhajitRoy) February 23, 2015
During the lunch union minister Rajanath Singh was spotted playing the Dhol. While talking to The Times Of India, Smriti Irani said, more than the food at this lunch, I love the warmth with which the Badal family organises this lunch every year. Harsimrat personally looks after each guest, it is remarkable.”
Opposition leader NCP president Sharad Pawar with his daughter Supriya Sule was also seen enjoying the lunch.
The Logical Indian Take
We are living in the kind of polarisation where we see that families are getting divided because of difference in political opinion. For commoners, it is important to understand that though politics is part of our lives, it shouldn’t divide us or create differences. We should learn from our politicians and shouldn’t allow our relationship with anyone to get affected because we can’t hear anything bad about our favourite leader. Politicians despite differences and open fights, come together whenever there is an opportunity that benefits them.
At the same time, in a healthy democracy, it is a good sign that the political leaders even after their dissenting views can be seen laughing and giggling together.
Also Read: Budget 2019 – Rs 3,000 Pension For Informal Workers Who Earn Upto Rs 15,000 Per Month; Know About It