How Sushma Swaraj Won Hearts in Lok Sabha – A Look at Her Speeches

Sushma swaraj was a powerful orator who knew how to make bold speeches yet win hearts across party lines.

(Photo: The Quint/Shruti Mathur)

Video editor: Vivek Gupta
Video producer: Shohini Bose

After a fiery speech in the Lok Sabha in 1996, then Speaker PA Sangma told Sushma Swaraj “don’t make your speeches so interesting.”

Sushma Swaraj was a powerful orator who knew how to make bold speeches and win hearts across party lines.

Here’s a look at the extraordinary parliamentarian’s five best speeches in the Lower House:

When Sushma Laid the Foundation for Revocation of Article 370

On 11 June 1996, Sushma Swaraj said:

<i>“Shayad Ram raajya aur swarajya ki niyati hi yahi hai ki vo bohot mushkil se milta hai.” </i>(Maybe the destiny of Ram Raajya and self rule is that it can be achieved only through struggle)

Further, batting for the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, she gave a satirical speech in the Lok Sabha, saying:

<i>“Hum saampradaayik hai, kyunki hum Vande Maatram gaane ki vakaalat karte hain... </i><i>haan hum </i><i>saampradaayik hai, </i><i>kyunki hum Article 370 Ko samaapt karne ki maang karte hain.” </i>(We are called communal because we support recitation of Vande Maatram... we are termed communal because we demand that Article 370 should be revoked.)

When She Showered Praises on the Ruling Party & Speaker During the 15th LS

On 22 February 2014, Sushma Swaraj addressed the last session of the 15th Lok Sabha, and heaped praises on Meira Kumar, the Speaker of the Lower House, and the then ruling UPA government at the Centre.

<i>“Ye sadan uljha bhi bohot, aur ulajh kar suljha bhi bohot.” </i>(This House faced many troubles and solved many.)

Sushma further said: “What really helped us make this session of the Lok Sabha as one of the most productive sessions was this essence of Indian culture:

“We do criticise each other but we aren’t enemies of each other.”

When Swaraj Replied to Manmohan Singh’s Attack With an Urdu Couplet

On 6 March 2013, while responding to then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s remark where he had used an Urdu couplet to attack the BJP, Sushma said:

<i>“Kuch to majbooriyaan rahin hongi, yu hi koi bewafaa nahin hota...” </i>(There must have been some reasons, nobody turns against you for no reason.)

<i>“Tumhe wafaa yaad nahi humein jafaa yaad nahi, zindagi aur maut ke do hi to taraane hain, ek tumhe yaad nahin, ek hume yaad nahiin..” </i>(You are unaware of my loyalty, I am unaware of your oppression. Life and death have two sides to it, you don’t remember one, and I am unaware of the other).

Swaraj's double couplet came after Manmohan Singh said:

“Hum ko unse wafa ki hai umeed, jo nahiin jaante ke wafaa kya hai...” (We expected loyalty from those who don’t know the meaning of it).

When She Played the ‘Q Card’ in Response to Rahul’s Charges on Lalit-Gate

On 12 August 2015, while responding to Rahul Gandhi’s allegations that she helped Lalit Modi in a hideous yet discreet manner, Sushma said:

“I want to inform this House that Sushma Swaraj hasn’t done anything hideous. If there’s anything that was done in a concealed manner, it is the act of helping Anderson flee the country during Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure.”

When She Termed Bhagvad Gita the National Scripture

On 20 December 2011, Sushma, the then member of the 15th Lok Sabha, said:

“Addressing the House through you, madam Speaker, today I demand that Srimad Bhagvad Gita be declared a national scripture so that no other nation dares to insult this book. The Government of India needs to be proactive and sensitive towards people’s sentiments.”