New Delhi, 4 December (H.S.): Swaraj Kaushal, a senior advocate and former Union Minister Sushma Swaraj’s husband, as well as BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj’s father, passed away on Thursday at the age of 73. Kaushal had significant roles as the Governor of Mizoram and as a Rajya Sabha member. His final rites will be performed this evening. Prominent leaders, including Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, expressed their condolences on his demise.
Bansuri Swaraj mourned her late father saying, “Papa, your love, discipline, simplicity, patriotism, and immense patience are the light of my life that will never fade.” She added emotionally that his departure is her deepest sorrow but believes he is now in God’s presence with Sushma Swaraj.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla described Swaraj Kaushal as a symbol of justice, democracy, and national service, whose simple and dedicated personality will always be remembered.Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan praised Kaushal’s exceptional dedication to national service and recognized his significant contributions to society and the justice system.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju remembered him as wise, warm-hearted, and committed to public life, calling his passing a great loss.Mizoram Governor General V.K. Singh expressed deep sorrow over Kaushal’s death, praying for peace to the departed soul and strength for the family.
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia hailed Kaushal as affectionate, calm, and scholarly, commending his exemplary contributions to public service and justice.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also expressed condolences, affirming that Kaushal’s contributions to public life and law will always be remembered. She extended sympathies to Bansuri Swaraj and her family.Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya recalled Kaushal’s unwavering dedication to national and social service, praying for the departed soul’s peace.
BJP Delhi President Virendra Sachdeva described his demise as deeply saddening and conveyed condolences to the family.
Born on July 12, 1952, Swaraj Kaushal was appointed Mizoram’s Governor at the age of 37 in 1990, becoming the youngest governor in India’s history. He served till 1993 and was later a Rajya Sabha MP from Haryana between 1998 and 2004. An eminent lawyer, Kaushal argued several sensitive cases before the Supreme Court.
His pivotal role in restoring peace in Northeast India is widely acknowledged; he was a chief architect of the Mizo Peace Accord and is regarded as a hero for Mizoram’s peace process.Swaraj Kaushal and Sushma Swaraj’s personal story is equally inspiring. They met in 1975 during the Emergency while working as young lawyers in George Fernandes’ legal team.
Despite different political backgrounds, their professional ties blossomed into love and marriage on July 13, 1975, with family blessings, including that of Jayaprakash Narayan.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
