By IANS
New Delhi : When late prime minister Indira Gandhi called upon the nation to do "soul searching" at the height of the Emergency in 1975-77, one man who went about lifting every shoe available to see its 'sole', in mocking humour, was her jailed critic Madhu Dandavate.
His jailed fellow-political workers found that Dandavate had embarked on a mission to do some "sole searching", Lok Sabha's Leader of the Opposition, L.K. Advani recalled Friday.
Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee lamented the absence of humour in parliamentary proceedings and called for restoration of the bonhomie that existed among members in the past.
He was recalling the simplicity, erudition and humour of Dandavate, a former minister and socialist leader, while releasing an edited volume of his writings and those of people who knew him at a simple ceremony.
Former prime minister I.K. Gujral and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar joined others in reminiscing their association with Dandavate who, they said, stood by his principles.
His work as the country's railway minister and finance minister was remembered for his humane approach, they said.
Dandavate was known for his erudition, being among the few parliamentarians who worked hard on their speeches and debates. Chatterjee said he should be a role model for today's parliamentarians.