By Admin 
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Birth Anniversary: “We have seen the sweet fragrance of those eyes, touch them with your hands and do not blame them for relationships…” This song perhaps touches upon the untold feelings that blossomed in the decades-long relationship between Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Rajkumari Kaul. Vajpayee, who was remembered in the political world for his simplicity, dignity and brilliant poems, had a bond in his personal life which he never named, but also did not reject and carried with him throughout his life.
After all, who was that woman and what was her relationship with Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and why did Vajpayee adopt her daughter into his home? Let us know about this in detail on the occasion of Atal ji’s birth anniversary.
Atal and princess meet
The friendship between former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Rajkumari Haksar (later Kaul) began in the mid-1940s at Victoria College (now Maharani Lakshmibai College), Gwalior. The friendship between the two gradually deepened in the early days, and it became a special bond in the conservative society of that time. Vajpayee had hidden a love letter in Rajkumari’s book, but unfortunately the reply never reached her.
steadfast relationship
With time their relationship deepened. The princess wanted to marry Atal ji, but her family did not consider the man who went to the branch daily as worthy of their daughter. That’s why both of them could not get married. Well… Rajkumari got married to Brij Narayan Kaul, but this marriage could not end her connection with Atal. Vajpayee used to visit Rajkumari’s house frequently and gradually their family and friendship became permanent. He also had deep affection for the princess’s two children, Namita and Niharika.
adopted family
In 1978, when Vajpayee was the Foreign Minister, Rajkumari Kaul, her husband and two daughters started living at his official residence. During this time, he formally adopted Namita Kaul and later Niharika was also considered to be formally adopted. This decision of adoption was not only family-oriented but also emotionally deep. Vajpayee gave these children the same love and protection that is expected from a father.
unspoken and deep bond
There were also political and social debates regarding the nature of the relationship between Rajkumari Kaul and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Some critics and analysts believed that this relationship was only a deep friendship and family closeness, while some also linked it to an affair, but neither of them ever defined it publicly. Rajkumari clearly said in the only interview that she did not need to clarify her relationship with Vajpayee to anyone, because family respect and intimacy were evident in their relationship.
political and social reaction
This relationship was a unique example of its kind in Indian politics – where the close relationship between a high-ranking leader and an educated woman was presented in different ways by the media and political critics. There were discussions about this from time to time even within organizations like RSS, but Vajpayee neither made it a public issue nor distanced himself from it from his political career.
Family strength and togetherness throughout life
Rajkumari Kaul and Atal Bihari Vajpayee kept their bond above name throughout their lives. At the time of Vajpayee’s death, his adopted daughter Namita played a prominent role in his funeral rites, indicating that the relationship was not merely formal or superficial.
His final years and legacy
Rajkumari Kaul died of a heart attack in 2014. With his passing, an era of that unique friendship also ended. Vajpayee died four years later, in 2018, and his life and political contributions were remembered with great respect by the country. Despite the unpublished layers of his personal life, his importance will always remain as an inspiration in Indian politics.
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