New Delhi, Sept. 1 -- When two seemingly opposite currents- firmness and compassion, flow through the same personality and together lend it completeness, it is a reflection of an abiding commitment to the fundamental spirit of justice. Firmness refuses to tolerate oppression, while compassion inspires one to alleviate the suffering and pain of others. It is generally believed that a ruler who is strict in enforcing the law may lack sensitivity. Yet, two recent incidents in Uttar Pradesh have revealed two distinct facets of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's personality. In one, he appears with the sword of justice in his hand; in the other, with the lamp of compassion. He is so unwavering when it comes to law and order that he is unwilling to spare criminals at any cost. At the same time, the pain reflected in the eyes of a helpless brother deeply moves him. It is this duality that elevates him far beyond an ordinary administrator and makes him a leader who resides in the hearts of the people.
The brutal murder of Ankit Baliyan in Shamli had shaken not only his entire family but the whole state. At such moments, the foremost expectation of a bereaved family is swift and decisive justice. This is where the Chief Minister's firm administrative approach comes to the fore. The police were immediately given clear instructions to apprehend the culprits, and within just 86 hours, both accused were killed in encounters with the police. It sends a clear message that for those who commit crimes in Uttar Pradesh, the only places left are prison or hell. The speed with which justice was delivered not only helped soothe the wounds of the bereaved family but also strengthened public confidence that the government stands firmly with victims. Yogi's firmness is not meant to create terror; it is intended to ensure fearlessness among ordinary citizens. For citizens to live without fear, it is necessary for criminals to fear the consequences of their actions.
On the other hand, this very personality of Yogi takes on an entirely different form during Janata Darshan, when he sees the suffering of people who come before him. A mother may arrive with the anguish of her child, or a brother may stand helpless, burdened by the agony of his sister's incurable illness. A similarly poignant scene unfolded at the Chief Minister's residence on Monday. Shyam Sonkar, who had come from Ayodhya, told the Chief Minister with deep distress that his sister was seriously ill. He said that she was extremely poor and that he was struggling to get her admitted to a hospital. The anguished plea of a brother stirred the compassionate heart within the Chief Minister, the heart that remains hidden beneath the layers of administrative firmness. Without delay, he arranged for Shyam's sister to be taken to Lohia Hospital, ensured that her treatment began immediately, and directed that the entire cost of her treatment be borne by the government. This was not an exhibition of sensitivity, but a reflection of the soil and ethos from which he comes where service and penance go hand in hand.
Yogi's humane and compassionate side is often visible during the Janata Darshan held at the Chief Minister's residence. Take the case of Khushi Gupta, a deaf and mute girl from Kanpur. When she met the Chief Minister, he not only lovingly placed his hand on her head but also assured her that arrangements would be made for her treatment and education. The case is particularly moving because the Chief Minister understood the suffering of a young girl who could not even communicate her feelings in the usual manner. There have been many such instances. At times, he has arranged treatment for a seven-month-old child suffering from heart disease; at others, he has expressed concern over the treatment of a child suffering from thalassemia. These are manifestations of the humane side of his personality. Whether it is the cost of treatment for a poor person, an obstacle in a student's education, or the concern of a helpless elderly person regarding pension and shelter, the Chief Minister has personally intervened to resolve such problems. This is not a matter of momentary emotion; it is an integral part of the very nature of his personality.
A natural question arises here: How can such firmness and such tenderness coexist within the same individual? The answer perhaps lies in the fact that both qualities emerge from the same fundamental spirit of good governance. Firmness towards the criminal and compassion towards the victim are two sides of the same coin. A person who can deeply feel the suffering of the innocent can also stand with equal determination against those who cause that suffering. Without compassion in the heart, such an unwavering commitment to justice would not be possible.
In an era when politics often appears entangled in a maze of self-interest, struggles for power and image-building, examples are becoming increasingly rare of a ruler who can keep both firmness and compassion equally alive within himself. The Chief Minister's personality is proof that governance is not a mechanical process but a living responsibility, in which sensitivity is as important as discipline. The swift action taken against the killers of Ankit Baliyan and the immediate intervention following the plea of a helpless brother during Janata Darshan may appear contradictory at first glance. But viewed more deeply, both are expressions of the same soul, the soul that refuses to tolerate injustice, whether it manifests itself as crime or as suffering and neglect.
The true use of power lies in ensuring both fear among criminals and refuge for the innocent. The natural balance between these two qualities that is visible in the Chief Minister's personality reflects his true nature. The sharp edge of law and order, combined with the touch of human compassion that rare balance is what transforms ordinary governance into governance that finds a place in the hearts of the people. Governance ultimately draws its strength from the trust that resides in the hearts of the people, and that trust flourishes only when the ruler himself remains connected to their joys and sorrows.
The writer is the Chairman of Global Taxpayers Trust and a Member of the GST Grievance Redressal Committee, Uttar Pradesh.
Views expressed are personal.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.