Jogi enlists Teejan Bai to further his soft Hindutva

Teejan Bai, who got the Padma Bhushan this year, apart from the Padma Shree and a honorary doctorate degree from Bilaspur University she got earlier, is also likely to help the Chief Minister attract urban voters.

For the rural masses, the singer’s credentials are stronger. Born in a tribal family, Teejan Bai is an illiterate. She took up a Class IV job at the Bhilai Steel Plant but after she got Padma Shree, she was made art co-ordinator at the plant’s school.

But the singer wants to keep herself out of all controversy. Claiming that she was approached both by the Congress and the BJP, the singer says when Jogi sent her a word, she could not say no.

She maintains that this has nothing to do with politics. “Bhai, hum to kalakar log hain. Bekaar ghar thode hi baithenge. Ek platform mil jaye to khush. (We artistes can’t sit idle. What more do we need than a platform to perform)”.

Talking about her new avatar, the singer says: ‘‘I will attract crowds, give them a subtle message and leave the stage for speeches by leaders’’.

Teejan says she proposes to take up a vigorous campaign on social issues, like drinking and other social evils.

‘‘I will go to every village, and motivate drinkers to stop drinking for the sake of their kids. And if they don’t, then I plan to organise women and children, within their families, to enforce complete prohibition.’’ She also plans to run a family planning campaign as well.

Teejan had earlier turned down actress and Rajya Sabha MP Shabana Azmi’s offer for a film on her life. Teejan was to act in the movie herself.

She adds: ‘‘I said no to the film because Shabanaji did not speak to me. Only Vinay Shukla, the film’s director, got in touch. He offered only a meagre sum of Rs 50,000, which was not acceptable. Talks broke on this point and I finally pulled out.’’