On her birth anniversary, here’s Sushma Swaraj and Swaraj Kaushal’s beautiful love story that shows how this beautiful and loving couple were made for each other.
After suffering a major cardiac arrest, senior BJP leader and former Foreign Minister, Sushma Swaraj passed away at the age of 67.
Sushma Swaraj inspired many of us through her incredible discipline, exemplary determination, and empathetic heart. The charm, the warmth, and the affection she radiated drew many of us towards her.
She was a self-made politician in an era when it wasn’t easy for women to enter the political field on their own terms.
She was a political stalwart, who will be fondly remembered as a People’s Minister.
But, her exemplary political career was not only the result of her determination but also of her supportive husband, who stood by her side in every difficult decision of her life.
He supported her when she was in politics and when she decided to quit.
Sushma’s story of getting married to Swaraj Kaushal, a peer and fellow advocate at the Supreme Court of India is equally moving.
Unlike many couples, they respected each other’s differences and accepted each other without any change.
They had a difference in their ideology, yet they fell for each other when they met during law school.
Kaushal believed in socialism while Sushma had joined a right-wing organization. They came closer when they were a part of a team of lawyers who contested the case of the socialist leader, George Fernandes, during the 19-month period of Emergency. As it happens in every perfect love story, both of their families raised objections. But as both of them were stubborn, no one could stop these two from marrying each other.
They tied the knot during times of Emergency, on July 13, 1975.
Few years back, Sushma posted an old picture from her wedding album:
Thanks for your greetings and good wishes on our wedding anniversary. @sushmaswaraj & @GovernorSwaraj pic.twitter.com/d80OTAiMjc
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 13, 2016
Everyone felt the power of their love again last year when Sushma Swaraj declared that she will not be contesting any more elections. To that news, Swaraj Kaushal wrote a beautiful note that gave serious relationship goals to our generation. He shared:
“Thank you very much for your decision not to contest any more elections. I remember there came a time when even Milkha Singh stopped running. This marathon has been on since 1977-that is 41 years. You have contested 11 direct elections. In fact, you contested all elections held since 1977 except when the party did not allow you to contest in 1991 and 2004. Madam I am running behind you for the last 46 years. I am no longer a 19-year-old. Please, I am also running out of breath. Thank you”
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During another incident, when a troll asked Kaushal to ‘beat Swaraj up and teach her not to appease Muslims’, he took it to his heart and tweeted in all seriousness that shows his love and respect for Sushma:
“Your words have given us unbearable pain. Just to share with you, my mother died of cancer in 1993. Sushma was an MP and a former Education Minister. She lived in the hospital for a year. She refused to engage a medical attendant and attended on my dying mother personally. Such was her devotion to the family. As per my father’s wish, she lit my father’s pyre. We adore her. Please do not use such words for her. We are the first generation in law and politics. We pray for nothing more than her life. Please convey my profound regards to your wife.”
This post was nothing less than a testimony of how strong their relationship was. Built on mutual support, love, and admiration despite their different belief systems, and a common desire to work for the betterment of people is what Sushma and Kaushal’s story is all about. At IFORHER, we pay our regards to Sushma Swaraj and thank her for her work, commitment, and kindness towards the people of this country.
R.I.P. Sushma Swaraj
