Srinagar, Aug 31: Chairman of the Kashmir Policy and Strategy Group, Ashok Bhan, on the occasion of former President Pranab Mukherjee’s death anniversary, paid tribute to the veteran statesman, describing him as a “towering statesman, unwavering Constitutionalist and political scholar” whose public life reflected the finest traditions of Indian democracy.
Bhan said Mukherjee’s journey from humble beginnings in a village in Bengal to the highest constitutional office in the country was marked by “intellect, humility, experience and an abiding commitment to public service.”
“Pranab Mukherjee was a towering statesman, an unwavering Constitutionalist and a political scholar whose public life embodied the best traditions of Indian democracy,” Bhan said.
He said Mukherjee possessed a rare understanding of India’s political institutions and the complexities of its democratic journey, which enabled him to command respect across political lines.
Describing Mukherjee as “a man of culture and a political scholar,” Bhan said his personality extended well beyond electoral politics, with his early association with teaching and journalism eventually giving way to a lifelong engagement with books, writing, history and public affairs.
“His vast knowledge of history, politics, economics and parliamentary practice made him an exceptional repository of institutional wisdom,” Bhan said, adding that Mukherjee believed deeply in dialogue, accommodation and the strength of democratic institutions.
According to Bhan, Mukherjee’s political interventions were shaped not merely by political expediency but by scholarship and a deep understanding of India’s civilisational and constitutional inheritance.
Bhan particularly underlined Mukherjee’s commitment to constitutionalism, saying his faith in the rule of law and good governance remained central to his political and administrative philosophy.
“He urged newer generations of leaders to emulate a deep-seated reverence for India’s constitutional values and democratic institutions,” Bhan said.
He said Mukherjee’s death had left a void in public life, but his legacy continued to offer an enduring lesson about the purpose of politics and public service.
“His passing left a void in public life, but his legacy continues to remind us that politics, at its finest, is an instrument of national service, constitutional responsibility and the pursuit of the common good,” Bhan said.
