New DelhiOctober sixth, 2025, 12:03pm
First printed: October sixth, 2025 12pm
A couple of days in the past we misplaced one of the senior leaders, Sri Vijay Kumar Malhotra Ji. He lived a protracted and achieved life, however extra importantly, he led a lifetime of cruel arduous work, dedication and repair. A glimpse into his life will assist everybody perceive the center of RSS, Jana Sangh and the BJP. A deep, deep dedication to braveness, self-servance and nationwide and cultural values within the face of adversity.
VK Malhotra Ji’s household was affected by the concern of the partition. Trauma and displacement didn’t make him bitter or inward. As a substitute, he grew to become immersed in serving others. He discovered the calling with RSS and Jana Sangh ideology. They have been definitely a really difficult time. Malhotra Ji devoted himself to social work, serving to 1000’s of displaced individuals who misplaced every little thing and rebuilding their lives. This was additionally the steerage spirit of Jana San. His fellow Kalyakartas on the time included Madanral Krana Ji and Kidar Nath Sani Ji. Folks like them and others have been on the forefront of selfless service that resonated with the folks of Delhi.
It’s well-known that Lok Saba and the assorted state meeting elections in 1967 have been surprising to the almighty Congress. The lesser-known election was the primary ever election for the Delhi Metropolitan Council. Within the capital, Yana San secured an awesome victory. Shri Lk Advani Ji grew to become chairman of the council and Malhotra Ji was given the duty to be the CEO. That is roughly equal to being a major minister. He was solely 36 years outdated. He used his tenure to deal with Delhi’s wants, notably relating to infrastructure and civic points.
This duty additionally strengthened Malhotra Zi’s bond with Delhi. Each time there was a query of nationwide significance, Malhotra Zi was not a bystander, however an lively participant, talking out the general public’s voice. He joined the cow conservation motion within the late Nineteen Sixties, the place he additionally grew to become a sufferer of police extra. He was on the forefront of the anti-emergency motion. When Sikhs have been being brutally slaughtered on the streets of Delhi, he was a relaxed, voice of peace and stood sturdy within the Sikh group. He believed that along with election success, politics was about rules and values and values when it issues most.
For the reason that late Nineteen Sixties, VK Malhotra ji remained a everlasting determine in public life. Few leaders can declare to have such lengthy, unbroken public engagement. He was a tireless Kalyakarta, a superb organizer and builder of the power. He has an unbelievable skill to cross the world of electoral and organisational politics equally and simply, offering secure management to Yana Sang and the BJP’s Delhi forces.
Whether or not it is the civic authorities, the state meeting or the legislature, Malhotra Zi noticed all of it. His election victory over Dr. Manmohan Singh within the 1999 Lok Sabah election remains to be remembered by his supporters and enemies. It was a well known election, the place he opposed necessary parliamentary leaders. The total energy of the parliamentary ecosystem befalls his South Delhi constituency, however Malhotra Zi by no means decreased the extent of discourse. He ignored the vile assaults and ran a optimistic marketing campaign, successful by over 50% of the vote! This victory was achieved attributable to Malhotra Zi’s sturdy floor connection. He was expert at cultivating a detailed relationship with Kalicarta and understanding voter aspirations.
When Malhotra Ji spoke to Congress, it was all the time properly studied and well-present. His tenure as a deputy chief of the opposition throughout UPA-1 supplies invaluable classes to college students of politics and parliamentary democracy. He successfully opposed the ineffective UPA authorities, notably in its disastrous observe file of corruption and terrorism. On the time, I used to be the Chief Minister of Gujarat and sometimes interacted with Malhotra Ji, who needed to be taught concerning the advances in growth in Gujarat.
Politics was one side of VK Malhotra Ji persona. He was an important scholar. I discovered from his household how he secured double promotions throughout his grade. He accomplished his enrollment and commencement sooner than anticipated. His proficiency in Hindi meant that the job of translating Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s speech into Hindi was typically delivered to him.
One of many largest options of Malhotra Ji was his position as a facility builder. He was one of many high leaders who based and nurtured a number of establishments associated to RSS. By his efforts, many cultural, academic and social organizations have discovered development and steerage. These establishments grew to become daycares of expertise and repair, finishing up the imaginative and prescient of an unbiased, value-driven society.
Past politics and academia, Malhotra Zi has created an indelible mark on the earth of sports activities. Archery was his nice ardour, and he served as president of the Indoor Archery Affiliation for many years. Beneath his management, Indian Archery gained world recognition and made tireless efforts to offer athletes with platforms and alternatives. His position in sports activities administration displays the identical traits he has proven in public life: dedication, organizational skill and pursuit of excellence.
The affect of Shri Vk Malhotra Ji carried over not solely within the place he had, but in addition within the spirit, serving earlier than the self, rooted in values, and embracing challenges with braveness and endurance. He was the perfect occasion man and by no means spoke of how he may embarrass our calicurta or ideology.
A couple of days in the past, I took half within the programme opening a brand new headquarters for Delhi BJP. He was excited that the BJP shaped a authorities in Delhi earlier this yr for over 30 years and has dedicated to filling for the capital of our beloved nation. Might his life and achievements stay position fashions for the era of civil servants sooner or later.
