The legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar had a brief spell in politics that was anything but ordinary. Not only was she openly dismissive of her six-year Rajya Sabha term, she was also known for her low attendance and her lack of participation in debates. But perhaps the most memorable fact about her term as a parliamentarian was her refusal to collect the allowance that she was entitled to.
According to an old Indian Express report, an RTI revealed that the singer had returned each payment that she’d received from the Pay Accounts Office. Endorsed by the BJP, she was elected on November 22, 1999, and was part of the House till November 21, 2005. But she attended House proceedings only 12 times in those six years, and even then not for the entire day.
Also read – Lata Mangeshkar (1929-2022): Nightingale has fallen silent
Asked about her lack of interest in administration, she said in an interview, according to IANS, “My tenure in the Rajya Sabha was anything but happy. I was reluctant to be inducted into Parliament. In fact, I pleaded with those who urged me into the Rajya Sabha to let me off… What did I know about politics?” During her tenure, she asked only one question, and that too not about the film and entertainment industry.
Asked why she didn’t raise issues closest to her profession, she had said, “I was often asked why I didn’t address problems related to the film industry in Parliament. In my defence, I can only say I was not connected with the entertainment industry to the extent that I could raise my voice against its problems. I am a singer, not a speaker.”
Lata Mangeshkar, described as the Nightingale of India, was the recipient of the Bharat Ratna, the nation’s highest civilian honour. She died at the age of 92 on Feb 6, 2022. Today is her second death anniversary.
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