CM Nayab Saini Pays Tribute to Vijayaraje Scindia on Birth Anniversary
Synopsis
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini marked the birth anniversary of Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia on October 12, 2026, honouring the BJP founding figure for her sacrifice, democratic resistance during the Emergency, and lifelong dedication to public service.
Key Takeaways
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini paid tribute to Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia on her birth anniversary, October 12, 2026 .
Vijayaraje Scindia was born on 12 October 1919 into the royal house of Gwalior , later renouncing royal privileges for political service.
She was a founding member of the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980 and a key figure in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.
CM Saini specifically highlighted her courage during the Emergency of 1975–77 , calling it a mark of her 'unwavering resolve.' Vijayaraje Scindia passed away on 25 January 2001 and remains a foundational icon in BJP's political narrative.
On the birth anniversary of one of India's most consequential political figures, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini paid tribute to Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia on Monday, October 12, 2026, honouring a leader whose journey from royal grandeur to grassroots political struggle remains a defining chapter in the BJP's founding story.
Posting on X, CM Saini wrote: 'Tyaag, saadgi aur raashtra-seva ke ucch aadarshon ko jeevan mein aatmasaat karne wali Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia ji ki jayanti par unhe saadar naman.' ('Respectful homage to Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia on her birth anniversary — a woman who embodied the highest ideals of sacrifice, simplicity, and service to the nation.')
From Gwalior's Palace to the Frontlines of Democracy
Vijayaraje Scindia, born Lekha Divarkar on 12 October 1919, married into the royal house of Gwalior and became one of independent India's most unlikely political warriors. She renounced the privileges of royalty to immerse herself in party organisation and public service — a choice CM Saini's tribute frames as 'an unparalleled example of service and dedication.'
The most dramatic test of her conviction came during the Emergency of 1975–77, when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi suspended civil liberties and jailed political opponents. Vijayaraje Scindia chose resistance over comfort, standing firm for the restoration of democracy at personal cost. CM Saini specifically invoked this period, calling her courage and struggle during the Emergency a testament to her 'unwavering resolve.'
A Founding Force of the BJP
Vijayaraje Scindia was among the founding pillars of the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980, and her political lineage in Madhya Pradesh shaped the party's roots in the state for generations. She served multiple terms in Parliament and was a towering figure in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement of the late 1980s and 1990s. She passed away on 25 January 2001, the eve of Republic Day — a symmetry her admirers have long noted as fitting.
Her grandson Jyotiraditya Scindia, now a Union Cabinet Minister, carries the family's political legacy — though the ideological journey of the Scindia dynasty has been far from linear.
Why BJP Leaders Mark This Date Every Year
For the BJP, Vijayaraje Scindia's birth anniversary is not routine remembrance. She represents the party's foundational narrative — sacrifice over privilege, principle over power, and democratic resistance in its darkest hour. Leaders across the party's hierarchy use October 12 to reaffirm those values publicly, and CM Saini's post fits squarely in that tradition. Her memory, as Saini concluded, 'will always remain a source of inspiration.'
Eighty-seven years after her birth, the Rajmata's story still tells the BJP's story back to itself — and to a new generation of voters.
Point of View
Democratic resistance, and principled politics over privilege. For CM Saini, a chief minister consolidating BJP's hold in Haryana, invoking Scindia's legacy connects state-level governance to the party's pan-India founding mythology. The specific emphasis on Emergency-era courage is also a perennial political signal — reminding voters of the Congress's democratic record while elevating the BJP's own origin story. Such tributes are rarely just retrospective; they are prospective branding.
NationPress
12 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia?
Vijayaraje Scindia, born Lekha Divarkar on 12 October 1919, was a royal of the Gwalior house who became one of India's most prominent political leaders. She was a founding member of the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980 and a key figure in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, passing away on 25 January 2001.
Why did Nayab Singh Saini post about Vijayaraje Scindia?
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini paid tribute to Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia on her birth anniversary on 12 October 2026, honouring her sacrifice, simplicity, and resistance during the Emergency — values central to the BJP's political identity.
What did Vijayaraje Scindia do during the Emergency?
During the Emergency declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from 1975 to 1977, Vijayaraje Scindia stood against the suspension of civil liberties and fought for the restoration of democracy, at personal risk and cost.
What is the BJP's connection to Vijayaraje Scindia?
Vijayaraje Scindia was one of the founding members of the Bharatiya Janata Party when it was established in 1980. She is regarded as a foundational icon of the party, particularly in Madhya Pradesh, and is commemorated annually by BJP leaders on her birth anniversary.
Who is Jyotiraditya Scindia and how is he related to Vijayaraje Scindia?
Jyotiraditya Scindia is the grandson of Vijayaraje Scindia and currently serves as a Union Cabinet Minister in the Indian government, carrying forward the Scindia family's political legacy.
