On Pranab Mukherjee’s visit to the RSS office, Sharmistha, in a discussion with former bureaucrat Pavan K Varma, reflected on her disagreement with her father’s decision to attend a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh event.
“I engaged in a three to four-day debate with Baba regarding his choice. Finally, he explained that it wasn’t him conferring legitimacy, but rather, it was the country. According to Baba, democracy revolves around dialogue and engaging in conversations with the opposition,” she elaborated.
“In Congress-Left circles, there was a belief that his visit to the RSS headquarters was endorsing the organization. However, he countered this notion by asking, ‘Who am I to grant legitimacy to the RSS?’ His ability to listen to different perspectives was why he was recognized as a consensus builder,” Sharmistha added.