Jump to content

H. K. L. Bhagat: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Removing Shri-H.K.L.-Bhagat.gif; it has been deleted from Commons by Mdaniels5757 because: CSD G4 (recreation of content previously deleted per community consensus): [[:c:Co
 
(8 intermediate revisions by 7 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Indian politician}}{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Short description|Indian politician (1921–2005)}}{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}


{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = H. K. L. Bhagat
| name = H. K. L. Bhagat
| image =
| image = H. K. L. Bhagat Lok Sabha photo.jpg
| birth_date = 4 April 1921
| birth_date = 4 April 1921
| birth_place = [[Sahiwal]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab]], [[British India]]
| birth_place = [[Sahiwal]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab]], [[British India]]
Line 28: Line 28:
}}
}}


'''Hari Krishan Lal Bhagat''' (4 April 1921 – 29 October 2005) was an Indian [[politician]] of the [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] party. He served as the Deputy Mayor and Mayor of [[Delhi]], the Chief Whip of [[Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee]] (DPCC), and as a six-time MP and Union minister for 22 years. Hailed as the “Don of Delhi Politics", Bhagat was commonly known for being a successful loyalist to [[Indira Gandhi]] and maintained unparalleled influence in Delhi and the [[Indian National Congress|Congress Party]]. His possible role in the [[1984 anti-Sikh riots|1984 anti-Sikh Riots]] is controversial, though he was cleared by the government in five trials in the 1990s and early 2000s. <ref>{{Cite book |last=KAUR |first=JASKARAN |title=TWENTY YEARS OF IMPUNITY |date=October 2006 |publisher=Ensaaf |isbn=978-0-97870-730-9 |location=Portland, USA |pages=80+}}</ref>
'''Hari Krishan Lal Bhagat''' (4 April 1921 – 29 October 2005) was an Indian [[politician]] of the [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] party. He served as the Deputy Mayor and Mayor of [[Delhi]], the Chief Whip of [[Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee]] (DPCC), and as a six-time MP and Union minister for 22 years. Hailed as the “Uncrowned King Of Delhi" and "Kingmaker", Bhagat was commonly known for being a successful loyalist to [[Indira Gandhi]] and maintained unparalleled influence in Delhi and the [[Indian National Congress|Congress Party]] throughout the 1970s and 80s. During his time as a politician, Bhagat instated massive influence in Delhi, and it's often alleged that no Delhi politician could start their careers without the approval of Bhagat, thus giving him the name "Kingmaker". Bhagat's career reached its peak in the [[1984 Indian general election|1984 election]], in which his victory for the East Delhi seat was second largest out of all 543 victories in the entire country. Bhagat's career declined in the early 1990s after he was named in several commissions investigating the role of Congress politicians during the [[1984 anti-Sikh riots]]. His alleged role in the riots is controversial, though he was cleared by the government in two trials in the 1990s and early 2000s.<ref>{{Cite book |last=KAUR |first=JASKARAN |title=TWENTY YEARS OF IMPUNITY |date=October 2006 |publisher=Ensaaf |isbn=978-0-97870-730-9 |location=Portland, USA |pages=80+}}</ref>


==Career ==
== Career ==
Bhagat moved to Delhi in 1947 and quickly became active in the politics of the area. A strong [[Indira Gandhi]] loyalist, and strong leader in Delhi in the 1970s and 1980s,<ref name=Outlook>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/congress-old-fox-in-delhi-hkl-bhagat-dead/332025|title = Congress 'Old Fox' in Delhi HKL Bhagat dead}}</ref> Bhagat won six consecutive elections by large margins, and was responsible for a Congress comeback in the 1980 and 1983 elections in Delhi.<ref name="Outlook" /> He was known to have a strong group in the Congress Party, and won his first [[Lok Sabha]] election in 1971 from the [[East Delhi constituency]] in Delhi. He grew in political stature after Congress' victory in the local elections of 1983 which led him to be known as the ‘Uncrowned King of Delhi’ for many a years. He held ministerial positions, including of Information and Broadcasting, Parliamentary Affairs and Law, and made the state-run TV "[[Doordarshan]]" the Congress party's mouthpiece during the mid to late 1980s.{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}} <ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-12-24 |title=Shri H.K.L. Bhagat MP biodata East Delhi {{!}} ENTRANCE INDIA |url=https://entranceindia.com/election-and-politics/shri-h-k-l-bhagat-member-of-parliament-mp-from-east-delhi-delhi-biodata/ |access-date=2023-03-24 |language=en-US}}</ref>
Born in West Punjab, Bhagat moved to Delhi in 1947 following [[Partition of India|partition]] and quickly became active in the politics of the area. A strong [[Indira Gandhi]] loyalist, and strong leader in Delhi in the 1970s and 1980s,<ref name=Outlook>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/congress-old-fox-in-delhi-hkl-bhagat-dead/332025|title = Congress 'Old Fox' in Delhi HKL Bhagat dead}}</ref> Bhagat won six consecutive elections by large margins, and was responsible for a Congress comeback in the 1980 and 1983 elections in Delhi.<ref name="Outlook" /> He was known to have a strong group in the Congress Party, and won his first [[Lok Sabha]] election in 1971 from the [[East Delhi constituency]] in Delhi. He grew in political stature after Congress' victory in the local elections of 1983 which led him to be known as the ‘Uncrowned King of Delhi’ for many a years. He held ministerial positions, including of Information and Broadcasting, Parliamentary Affairs and Law, and made the state-run TV "[[Doordarshan]]" the Congress party's mouthpiece during the mid to late 1980s.{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-12-24 |title=Shri H.K.L. Bhagat MP biodata East Delhi {{!}} ENTRANCE INDIA |url=https://entranceindia.com/election-and-politics/shri-h-k-l-bhagat-member-of-parliament-mp-from-east-delhi-delhi-biodata/ |access-date=2023-03-24 |language=en-US}}</ref>


Bhagat's career declined after losing from East Delhi in 1991. Towards the end of his political career, he was named by the [[Nanavati Commission]] for an alleged involvement in the [[1984 Anti-Sikh Riots]].<ref name="Outlook" /> The commission did not recommend any action against Bhagat when it was published in 2005, due to his acquittal in other court cases and his poor health at the time. Based on the recommendation of the Nanavati Commission, the government ultimately declined to prosecute Bhagat because of his poor health by that time and in which he died 8 months later. According to the Nanavati Commission, Bhagat and Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, P.G. Gavai, visited areas affected by violence for about 2 and a half hours on 2 November 1984. During the riots, a local councillor in Delhi and 5 other persons visited the residence of Bhagat, raising their concerns of the violence. Bhagat allegedly told them he was making efforts to provide compensation to victims of the riots in [[Trilokpuri Assembly constituency|Trilokpuri]] and asked for affidavits by them to declare him innocent along with other Congress leaders.<ref name="Outlook" /> He was acquitted by the courts in both cases citing lack of evidence as many witnesses including his security personnel testifying that Bhagat was next to late PM Indira Gandhi's body for 3 days and did not leave her premises. The then Lieutenant Governor of Delhi also testified to Nanavati commission that HKL Bhagat called him multiple times asking for the Army to be brought in. Bhagat's alleged role in the riots made him a target for [[Khalistan movement|Sikh Militants]], though any record of assassination attempts do not exist.<ref>{{Cite book |last=NANAVATI |first=G.T |title=NANAVATI COMMISSION OF INQUIRY (1984 ANTI-SIKH RIOTS) REPORT |publisher=Government of India |year=9 February 2005 |pages=88-186}}</ref>
Bhagat's career declined after losing from East Delhi in 1991. Towards the end of his political career, he was named by the [[Nanavati Commission]] for an alleged involvement in the [[1984 Anti-Sikh Riots]].<ref name="Outlook" /> The commission did not recommend any action against Bhagat when it was published in 2005, due to his acquittal in other court cases and his poor health at the time. Based on the recommendation of the Nanavati Commission, the government ultimately declined to prosecute Bhagat because of his poor health by that time and in which he died 8 months later. According to the Nanavati Commission, Bhagat and Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, P.G. Gavai, visited areas affected by violence for about 2 and a half hours on 2 November 1984. During the riots, a local councillor in Delhi and 5 other persons visited the residence of Bhagat, raising their concerns of the violence. Bhagat allegedly told them he was making efforts to provide compensation to victims of the riots in [[Trilokpuri Assembly constituency|Trilokpuri]] and asked for affidavits by them to declare him innocent along with other Congress leaders.<ref name="Outlook" /> He was acquitted by the courts in both cases citing lack of evidence as many witnesses including his security personnel testifying that Bhagat was next to late PM Indira Gandhi's body for 3 days and did not leave her premises. The then Lieutenant Governor of Delhi also testified to Nanavati commission that HKL Bhagat called him multiple times asking for the Army to be brought in. Bhagat's alleged role in the riots made him a target for [[Khalistan movement|Sikh Militants]], though any record of assassination attempts do not exist.<ref>{{Cite book |last=NANAVATI |first=G.T |title=NANAVATI COMMISSION OF INQUIRY (1984 ANTI-SIKH RIOTS) REPORT |publisher=Government of India |date=9 February 2005 |pages=88–186}}</ref>


Bhagat became to suffer from a decline in health following his leave from Congress in 1997. Bhagat died in a hospital after prolonged illness and he was suffering from [[Alzheimer's disease]]. He is survived by his son, DPCC gen secretary Deepak Bhagat.
Bhagat became to suffer from a decline in health following his leave from Congress in 1997. Bhagat died in a hospital after prolonged illness and he was suffering from [[Alzheimer's disease]]. He is survived by his son, DPCC gen secretary Deepak Bhagat.
Line 48: Line 48:


{{DEFAULTSORT:Bhagat, H. K. L.}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bhagat, H. K. L.}}
[[Category:20th-century mayors of places in India]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians]]
[[Category:1984 anti-Sikh riots]]
[[Category:1984 anti-Sikh riots]]
Line 59: Line 60:
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Delhi]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Delhi]]
[[Category:People from East Delhi district]]
[[Category:People from East Delhi district]]
[[Category:Ministers for Information and Broadcasting of India]]
[[Category:Ministers for information and broadcasting of India]]
[[Category:Tourism ministers of India]]
[[Category:Tourism ministers of India]]
[[Category:Members of the Cabinet of India]]
[[Category:Members of the Cabinet of India]]

Latest revision as of 11:51, 16 November 2024

H. K. L. Bhagat
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
In office
December 1975 – March 1977
Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting
In office
February 1983 – December 1984
Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs
In office
31 December 1984 – 2 December 1989
Personal details
Born4 April 1921
Sahiwal, Punjab, British India
Died29 October 2005
(aged 84)
New Delhi, India

Hari Krishan Lal Bhagat (4 April 1921 – 29 October 2005) was an Indian politician of the Congress party. He served as the Deputy Mayor and Mayor of Delhi, the Chief Whip of Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC), and as a six-time MP and Union minister for 22 years. Hailed as the “Uncrowned King Of Delhi" and "Kingmaker", Bhagat was commonly known for being a successful loyalist to Indira Gandhi and maintained unparalleled influence in Delhi and the Congress Party throughout the 1970s and 80s. During his time as a politician, Bhagat instated massive influence in Delhi, and it's often alleged that no Delhi politician could start their careers without the approval of Bhagat, thus giving him the name "Kingmaker". Bhagat's career reached its peak in the 1984 election, in which his victory for the East Delhi seat was second largest out of all 543 victories in the entire country. Bhagat's career declined in the early 1990s after he was named in several commissions investigating the role of Congress politicians during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. His alleged role in the riots is controversial, though he was cleared by the government in two trials in the 1990s and early 2000s.[1]

Career

[edit]

Born in West Punjab, Bhagat moved to Delhi in 1947 following partition and quickly became active in the politics of the area. A strong Indira Gandhi loyalist, and strong leader in Delhi in the 1970s and 1980s,[2] Bhagat won six consecutive elections by large margins, and was responsible for a Congress comeback in the 1980 and 1983 elections in Delhi.[2] He was known to have a strong group in the Congress Party, and won his first Lok Sabha election in 1971 from the East Delhi constituency in Delhi. He grew in political stature after Congress' victory in the local elections of 1983 which led him to be known as the ‘Uncrowned King of Delhi’ for many a years. He held ministerial positions, including of Information and Broadcasting, Parliamentary Affairs and Law, and made the state-run TV "Doordarshan" the Congress party's mouthpiece during the mid to late 1980s.[citation needed][3]

Bhagat's career declined after losing from East Delhi in 1991. Towards the end of his political career, he was named by the Nanavati Commission for an alleged involvement in the 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots.[2] The commission did not recommend any action against Bhagat when it was published in 2005, due to his acquittal in other court cases and his poor health at the time. Based on the recommendation of the Nanavati Commission, the government ultimately declined to prosecute Bhagat because of his poor health by that time and in which he died 8 months later. According to the Nanavati Commission, Bhagat and Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, P.G. Gavai, visited areas affected by violence for about 2 and a half hours on 2 November 1984. During the riots, a local councillor in Delhi and 5 other persons visited the residence of Bhagat, raising their concerns of the violence. Bhagat allegedly told them he was making efforts to provide compensation to victims of the riots in Trilokpuri and asked for affidavits by them to declare him innocent along with other Congress leaders.[2] He was acquitted by the courts in both cases citing lack of evidence as many witnesses including his security personnel testifying that Bhagat was next to late PM Indira Gandhi's body for 3 days and did not leave her premises. The then Lieutenant Governor of Delhi also testified to Nanavati commission that HKL Bhagat called him multiple times asking for the Army to be brought in. Bhagat's alleged role in the riots made him a target for Sikh Militants, though any record of assassination attempts do not exist.[4]

Bhagat became to suffer from a decline in health following his leave from Congress in 1997. Bhagat died in a hospital after prolonged illness and he was suffering from Alzheimer's disease. He is survived by his son, DPCC gen secretary Deepak Bhagat.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ KAUR, JASKARAN (October 2006). TWENTY YEARS OF IMPUNITY. Portland, USA: Ensaaf. pp. 80+. ISBN 978-0-97870-730-9.
  2. ^ a b c d "Congress 'Old Fox' in Delhi HKL Bhagat dead".
  3. ^ "Shri H.K.L. Bhagat MP biodata East Delhi | ENTRANCE INDIA". 24 December 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  4. ^ NANAVATI, G.T (9 February 2005). NANAVATI COMMISSION OF INQUIRY (1984 ANTI-SIKH RIOTS) REPORT. Government of India. pp. 88–186.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=H._K._L._Bhagat&oldid=1257740419"