Unfairly targeted

When the country was paying a tribute to the father of the white revolution, Verghese Kurien, last week on his 94th birthday, a senior BJP leader from Gujarat unfairly targeted him. His unfounded allegation was that Kurien was not the hero he was made out to be and was guilty of having donated Amul’s profits to Christian missionaries for religious conversions in Dangs district. This was a preposterous charge that was met with all-round condemnation.

And justifiably so, because Kurien — also known as the ‘Milkman of India’ — had heralded a veritable revolution that transformed India into the largest milk-producing nation in the world. He was not only a visionary but was also known for his impeccable integrity and commitment to the task he was given by India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru — to make India self-sufficient in milk. And Kurien more than lived up to expectations. In fact, he spent his entire life developing the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd and building the Amul brand, benefiting thousands of dairy farmers of the region and setting an example for the rest of the country and the world. Such a man certainly deserves to be remembered with admiration and respect. But along comes a politician running down his legacy and questioning his credentials and accusing him of religious bias and corruption. Indeed, so deeply hurt was the Kurien family by the insinuation that his daughter had to step in and set the record right and reveal that her father, though born a Christian, had been an atheist and was cremated and not buried in accordance with his will. He was never associated with any missionaries.

That she had to issue a statement is indeed disconcerting and reflects poorly on the country and its political class. It is time our politicians exercised restraint and stop levelling allegations to serve their narrow communal interests. Kurien richly deserves the honour bestowed on him and we must take pride in his contribution.

COMMENT NOW