Lok Sabha members paid rich tributes to legendary anti-apartheid fighter and Bharat Ratna awardee, Nelson Mandela, who passed away in Johannesburg on Friday at the age of 95. The House was later adjourned for the day and will meet on Monday.

From quoting Kabir to Thiruvalluvar to Albert Einstein, leaders across party lines, such as Sushma Swaraj, Sushilkumar Shinde, Mulayam Singh Yadav, among others, recalled the immense contribution and struggle of Mandela to ensure a world that does not discriminate against race, creed or colour.

The Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar said it was a ‘personal’ moment of sadness for her and recalled her visit to Robben Island where Mandela was jailed for 28 years. She said the visit was like a pilgrimage and one of the most inspiring moments of her life.

Some members also took this opportunity to draw parallels with the discrimination prevalent in Indian society. Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav said there was need to take inspiration from Mandela and intensify the struggle against the unjust caste system in India, while DMK leader T. S. Elangovan, expressed concern over discrimination of any kind, “such as in Sri Lanka”.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi referred to the departed South African leader as Madiba (lovingly referred to by his clan name by his countrymen) saying his death was like losing “a beloved father.”

aditi.n@thehindu.co.in

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