Thu Feb 27 08:49:01 UTC 2025: ## Former PM Manmohan Singh Remembered for Economic Reforms and Poetic Parliament Battles
NEW DELHI – The passing of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh marks the end of an era. While renowned for his role in architecting India’s economic reforms under P.V. Narasimha Rao, a lesser-known facet of his legacy was his skillful use of Urdu poetry (“shayari”) in parliamentary debates. His poetic jabs, often delivered with subtle wit, became legendary.
A particularly memorable exchange involved a “shayari jugalbandi” (poetic duel) with the late Sushma Swaraj, BJP stalwart and Leader of the Opposition from 2009-2014. Their witty repartee, using verses from famous poets like Allama Iqbal and Mirza Ghalib, brightened the atmosphere of the Lok Sabha, a stark contrast to today’s often-polarized political climate.
One notable instance occurred in 2011, following a Wikileaks cable alleging Congress bribery. Swaraj, quoting Shahab Jafari, implicitly criticized Singh’s leadership. Singh responded with an Iqbal couplet, eliciting smiles and applause from both sides of the House. Further poetic exchanges took place in 2013, with both leaders skillfully employing verses to express their political viewpoints.
Even after Swaraj’s passing in 2019, Singh fondly recalled their parliamentary interactions, highlighting a time when political discourse was less acrimonious and more engaging. The passing of Dr. Singh brings an end to this unique chapter in Indian political history, leaving behind a legacy that extends beyond economics to the art of parliamentary debate and the shared appreciation for Urdu poetry.
First Piper 