Bansi Lal the Butcher - Part 1
Extracted from 'Decline and Fall of Indira Gandhi' by MankekarsBansilal was the evil genius behind Sanjay Gandhi and was largely responsible for the latters despotic acts. He was a rough ruffian and rude in getting things done in his own state Haryana and his style was reflected in Sanjay's style of functioning.
He considered Haryana his private estate, had no qualms handing over 445 acres of fertile land of poor farmers to Sanjay for his Maruti factory. He had no scruples about breaking rules and regulations to please his young friend.
One day, on returning from office and surrounded by sycophants and fawning followers, You know the symbol of Congress is a cow and calf. I have taken possesion of the calf, the cow automatically runs after me to shower affection on the calf. The cow is always at my my beck and call. ......... That is the secret of my success.
He was a briefless lawyer of a Haryana District. His political career is marked by betrayels and faithlessness. In early 60's he got close to Gulzari Lal Nanda who got him him a ticket for Harayana assembly. Once elected he switched over to Bhagwat Dyal Sharma. In 1967 when Sharma faced trouble in the Assembly the butcher quietly withdrew from the scene. He did not attend the assembly sessions when debate against Sharma's ministry was in progress. And his explanation to Sharma was that some one had locked him in his room ..............
When the emergency of Indira came into being, Bansi was the Defence Minister, there were instances when upto 3 generations of some families were imprisoned at the same time under his orders.
A political opponent of Bansi Lal crticised him at a public meeting. When he came to know of it he said the man deserved to be fed on human excreta. When the emergency was declared he made sure that this critic was to suffer the above promise he had made.
It had become common practice to put on donkeys his opponents with faces blackened and parade them in the streets. A placard with "I am a tritor" was put around his neck. (Comment: I think he was half made as were most of favouries if Indira Gandhi). Don't for a moment imagine that Indira Gandhi did not know about it.
Bansi would tell Sanjay Gandhi "You are the Prime Minister's son. You can ask for anything and it will be yours." That is how Sanjay got 445 acres of poor farmer's land for half a song.