L. K. Advani: Difference between revisions

{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}  

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| name                = Lal Krishna Advani

| office1            = 7th [[Deputy Prime Minister of India]]

| primeminister1      = [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]

| term_end1          = 22 May 2004

| office2            = [[Ministry of Coal|Minister of Coal and Mines]]

| primeminister2      = [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]

| term_start2        = 1 July 2002

| primeminister3      = [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]

| term_start3        = 29 January 2003

| term_start4        = 19 March 1998

| term_end4          = 22 May 2004

| term_start6        = May 2004

| term_end6          = December 2009

| successor6          = [[Sushma Swaraj]]

| term_start7        = 1990

| predecessor7        = [[Rajiv Gandhi]]

| successor7          = [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]

| term_start10        = 1991

| term_end10          = 1996

| predecessor10      = [[Shankersinh Vaghela]]

| successor10        = [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]

| term_start11        = 1989

| predecessor11      = [[Krishna Chandra Pant]]

| successor11        = [[Rajesh Khanna]]

| predecessor12      = Jag Parvesh Chandra

| successor12        = Shyam Charan Gupta

| birth_name          = Lal Krishna Advani

| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1927|11|8|df=y}}

| death_date          =  

| death_place        =  

| spouse              = {{marriage|Kamla Advani|1965|2016|end=died}}

| children            = [[Pratibha Advani]] (Daughter)<br/>Jayant Advani (Son)

| awards              = [[Padma Vibhushan]]

| image_size          =  

}}

2015 he was awarded the [[Padma Vibhushan]], India's second highest civilian honour. He has held numerous positions in his career.

==Early and personal life==

==Political career==

===Bharatiya Jana Sangh===

===Janata Party to Bharatiya Janata Party===

[[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]] was appointed the first president of the new party. [[Ramachandra Guha]] writes that despite the factional wars within the Janata government, its period in power had seen a rise in support for the RSS, marked by a wave of communal violence in the early 1980s.<ref>{{cite book|last=Guha|first=Ramachandra|title=India After Gandhi|year=2007|publisher=MacMillan|pages=563–564}}</ref> Despite this, the BJP under Vajpayee initially took a more moderate approach to Hindutva, to gain a wider appeal. This strategy was unsuccessful, as the BJP won only two Lok Sabha seats in the elections of 1984.<ref name=Malik>{{cite journal|last1=Malik|first1=Yogendra K.|first2=V. B.|last2=Singh|title=Bharatiya Janata Party: An Alternative to the Congress (I)?|journal=Asian Survey|date=April 1992|volume=32|issue=4|pages=318–336|jstor=2645149|doi=10.2307/2645149}}</ref> A few months prior to the election, [[Indira Gandhi]] was assassinated, creating a sympathy wave for the Congress that also contributed to the BJP's low tally, as the Congress won a record number of seats. This failure led to a shift in the party's stance; Advani was appointed party president, and the BJP returned to the hardline Hindutva of its predecessor.<ref>{{cite book|last=Guha|first=Ramachandra|title=India After Gandhi|year=2007|publisher=MacMillan}}</ref>

Under Advani, the BJP became the political face of the [[Ayodhya dispute]] over the [[Ram Janmabhoomi]]. In the early 1980s, the [[Vishwa Hindu Parishad]] (VHP) had begun a movement for the construction of a temple dedicated to the Hindu deity [[Rama]] at the site of the [[Babri mosque|Babri Masjid]] in [[Ayodhya]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scroll.in/article/744403/in-the-times-of-yakub-memon-remembering-the-babri-masjid-demolition-cases|title=In the times of Yakub Memon, remembering the Babri Masjid demolition cases|access-date=29 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150730231427/http://scroll.in/article/744403/in-the-times-of-yakub-memon-remembering-the-babri-masjid-demolition-cases|archive-date=30 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The agitation was on the basis of the belief that the site was the birthplace of Rama, and that a temple once stood there that had been demolished by the [[Mughal emperors|Mughal]] emperor [[Babur]] when he constructed the Babri mosque. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has supported the claim that a Hindu structure once stood at the site, without commenting on a possible demolition.<ref>{{cite web|title=Evidence of temple found: ASI|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030826/main6.htm|date=25 August 2003|access-date=3 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411193402/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030826/main6.htm|archive-date=11 April 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the-week.com/23sep07/events1.htm |title=Layers of truth|work = The Week|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050323101829/http://www.the-week.com/23sep07/events1.htm|archive-date = 23 March 2005}}</ref> The BJP threw its support behind this campaign, and made it a part of their election manifesto, which provided rich dividends in the general elections of 1989. Despite the Congress winning a plurality in the election, it declined to form a government, and so the [[National Front (India)|National Front]] government of [[VP Singh]] was sworn in. The support of the BJP, with its tally of 86 seats, was crucial to the new government.<ref name="Guha2007">{{cite book|last=Guha|first=Ramachandra|title=India After Gandhi|year=2007|publisher=MacMillan|pages=582–598}}</ref>

Advani embarked on a "Rath Yatra", or chariot journey, to mobilise ''karsevaks'', or volunteers, to converge upon the Babri Masjid to offer prayers. This Rath Yatra, undertaken in an air-conditioned van decorated to look like a chariot, began from [[Somnath]] in Gujarat and covered a large portion of Northern India until it was stopped by the Chief Minister of Bihar, [[Laloo Prasad Yadav|Lalu Prasad Yadav]], on the grounds that it was leading to communal violence. In the 1991 general elections, the BJP won the second largest number of seats, after the Congress.<ref>{{Cite web|title=1990-L.K. Advani's rath yatra: Chariot of fire|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20091228-1990-l.k.-advanis-rath-yatra-chariot-of-fire-741621-2009-12-24|last=Sahgal|first=Priya|date=28 December 2009|website=India Today|access-date=9 May 2020}}</ref> While on the Yatra, Advani carried symbols of the Hindu religion and made multiple speeches regarding the "Hindu society's alleged failure to protect its shrines from desecration by Muslim conquerors".<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Panikkar|first=K. N.|date=1993|title=Religious Symbols and Political Mobilization: The Agitation for a Mandir at Ayodhya|journal=Social Scientist|volume=21|issue=7/8|pages=63–78|doi=10.2307/3520346|jstor=3520346}}</ref>

After the fall of two United Front government between 1996 and 1998 (H. D. Deve Gowda and I. K. Gujral), the Lok Sabha, (lower house) of India's Parliament was dissolved and new elections were held. Now, a coalition of political parties signed up with BJP to form the Nationwide Democratic Alliance (NDA), headed by A. B. Vajpayee. The NDA won a majority of seats in parliament. However, the govt survived only 13 several months until mid-1999 when [[All Indian Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (AIADMK) under [[J. Jayalalitha]] withdrew its assistance to the government. With the NDA no longer having a majority, the Parliament was again dissolved and new elections were organised. Vajpayee remained the Prime Minister until elections were organised.<ref name=":0" />

Advani assumed the office of [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Home Minister]] and was later elevated to the position of Deputy Prime Minister.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Advani appointed deputy prime minister|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Advani-appointed-deputy-prime-minister/articleshow/14487268.cms|date=29 June 2002|website=The Times of India|access-date=10 May 2020}}</ref> As Union Minister, Advani had a tough time with India facing a string of internal disturbances in the form of rebel attacks allegedly supported by [[Pakistan]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} The NDA government lasted for its full term of five years till 2004, the first non-Congress government to do so.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W1dZC9ITxgwC|title=Wondering Man, Money & Go(l)d|publisher=Wondering Man|isbn=978-1-84693-016-4|pages=24|language=en}}</ref>

However, the failure of this prosecution by the CBI was widely criticised.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/advani-has-hit-bulls-eye-each-time/articleshow/590391.cms Advani has hit bull's eye each time] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330071957/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Advani-has-hit-bulls-eye-each-time/articleshow/590391.cms |date=30 March 2013 }} Times of India – 30 March 2004</ref> While some believe the CBI probe catapulted his rise through the BJP on his newfound "[[moral authority]]",<ref>[http://www.telegraphindia.com/1051230/asp/opinion/story_5658515.asp "Advani's influence in the BJP sprang from his moral authority"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206134942/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1051230/asp/opinion/story_5658515.asp |date=6 December 2008 }}, ''The Telegraph'', Calcutta, 30 December 2005.</ref> others have claimed the inquiry was a political stunt.<ref>[http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19980916/25951004.html "Which Jain? What Hawala?"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123230406/http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19980916/25951004.html |date=23 January 2009 }}, ''The Indian Express'', 15 September 1998.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Ex-official-says-hawala-probe-was-manipulated/articleshow/589213.cms?referral=PM|title=Ex-official says hawala probe was manipulated|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=27 November 2006|access-date=27 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704122654/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Ex-official-says-hawala-probe-was-manipulated/articleshow/589213.cms?referral=PM|archive-date=4 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Vajpayee retired from active politics after the 2004 defeat, putting Advani to the forefront of the BJP.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sengupta|first=Somini|date=31 December 2005|title=Former Premier Vajpayee Retires From Indian Politics at 81|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/31/world/asia/former-premier-vajpayee-retires-from-indian-politics-at-81.html|access-date=10 May 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Advani became [[Leader of the Opposition (India)#Leaders of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha|Leader of the Opposition]] in the [[Lok Sabha]] from 2004 to 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lal Krishna Advani {{!}} Biography & Facts|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lal-Krishna-Advani|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|access-date=10 May 2020}}</ref> During this period, Advani had to deal with rebellion from within the party. His two close associates, [[Uma Bharati]], and [[Madan Lal Khurana]], and longtime rival [[Murali Manohar Joshi]] publicly spoke out against him. In June 2005, he drew much criticism when he, while on a visit to the Jinnah Mausoleum at Karachi – his town of birth, endorsed [[Mohammad Ali Jinnah]] and described him a "secular" leader. This did not sit well with the RSS either and Advani was forced to relinquish his post as BJP president. However, he withdrew the resignation a few days later.<ref>{{Cite news|title=L K Advani resigns for 3rd time in 8 years, once over row on Jinnah remarks|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/l-k-advani-resigns-for-3rd-time-in-8-years-once-over-row-on-jinnah-remarks/articleshow/20524464.cms|access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref>

However, [[Indian National Congress]] and its allies won the 2009 general elections, allowing incumbent Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to continue in office. Following the defeat in the elections, L. K. Advani paved the way for [[Sushma Swaraj]] to become the [[Leader of the Opposition (India)#Leaders of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha|Leader of the Opposition]] in the [[Lok Sabha]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8421132.stm|title=New India opposition leader named |work=[[BBC News]]|date=18 December 2009|access-date=27 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news  |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/article67005.ece  |title=Advani quits as Leader of Opposition  |access-date=18 December 2009 |newspaper=The Hindu  |date=18 December 2009 |last1=Vyas  |first1=Neena  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219182548/http://www.thehindu.com/news/article67005.ece  |archive-date=19 December 2013 |url-status=live    }}</ref> However later he was elected Working Chairman of the [[National Democratic Alliance]] in 2010.<ref>{{Cite news|date=22 February 2010|title=NDA elects Advani 'working chairman'|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/nda-elects-advani-working-chairman/story-aO8FS7uLOopcwWwOrojczL.html|access-date=3 February 2021|work=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>

===Marg Darshak Mandal===

* Nazarband Loktantra (2016).(Hardcover) <ref>{{Cite book|last=Āḍavāṇī, Lālakrishńa.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/50640962|title=Nazarbaṇda lokataṇtra|date=2002|publisher=Prabht̄a Prakāśana|isbn=81-7315-399-X|location=Dill ̄|oclc=50640962}}</ref> {{ISBN|817315399X}}.  

* Drishtikon (2016).(Hardcover)<ref>{{Cite book|last=Advani, L. K., 1927-|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/823027286|title=Dr̥shṭikoṇa : blôga para bāteṃ|year=2012|isbn=978-93-5048-142-4|edition=Saṃskaraṇa prathama|location=Dillī|oclc=823027286}}</ref>{{ISBN|9789350481424}}

== Opinions ==

==Positions==

* 1967–70: Chairman, Metropolitan Council, Delhi<ref name=LS>{{cite web|url=http://archive.india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=9|title=Detailed Profile: Shri Lal Krishna Advani|publisher=India.gov.in|access-date=27 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427181042/http://archive.india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=9|archive-date=27 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>  

* 1970–72: President, [[Bharatiya Jana Sangh]], Delhi

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