The guiding principles of Robert Kharshiing’s political career was “dialogue, peace and consensus”, quite a remarkable philosophy in the context of the turbulent ethnic politics in the state when he began his political life.
John Kharshiing, talking about his brother’s life and ideas which left an indelible mark on the turmoiled political scenario of the state and ones which offer the way forward.
Robert passed away yesterday at the age of 63.
As the president of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) in 1981-83, his stand for dialogue, peace and consensus gave the movement more acceptability among the people of the state. He along with the late legislator, SDD Nichols Roy were instrumental in founding the Community Relations Council, which was notified by the state government in the midst of deep misunderstanding among the citizens based on community lines in the eighties and nineties.
He was the main spokesman also for partyless government and grassroots governance. He was not only a talker but he put his money where his mouth was by being first Parliamentarian of the state to fund the languishing Khasi Chiefs and the Dorbar Shnongs from the MP funds aimed at strengthen grassroots governance.
In Parliament where he represented the state in Rajya Sabha one of his major speeches dwelt on the necessity of free convertibility of the rupee to advance the economy of the country. He also spoke on the Gujarat riots and the steps for building bridges between the communities which was appreciated by the then prime minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee and others, John Kharshiing said.
“Wherever he was placed Robert always endeavoured to build bridges, talk peace across hostilities,” said his brother.
He joined the Moral Re Armament (MRA) movement in the late eighties which influenced his thinking with its principle of not hurting anyone and asking forgiveness of those who he might have hurt before. He was in the company of people like Raj Mohan Gandhi and others. He travelled all around the world as a member of the MRA.
Meanwhile, the KSU has suspended all its activities tomorrow to attend the funeral of Robert, who was its third president.
