Lucknow: Union defense minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh on Sunday paid tributes to former governor and veteran BJP leader Lalji Tandon on his 91st birth anniversary, describing him as a symbol of integrity, courage and public service.Speaking at a program organized for a book release on Tandon, Singh said, “The late leader’s life was deeply rooted in values and shaped by close associations with prominent nationalist figures such as Deendayal Upadhyaya and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.”Singh highlighted Tandon’s interpretation of secularism as sarva dharma sambhava, stressing that he believed in equal respect for all religions rather than the Western concept of secularism imposed on Indian society.He also referred to passages in the book that speak of what Tandon termed “false propaganda” against Prime Minister Narendra Modiasserting that truth ultimately prevailed.Sharing anecdotes from the book, Singh recalled incidents involving leaders such as Field Marshal Cariappa, Jagannath Rao Joshi and a dramatic Lucknow airport episode when former Prime Minister Vajpayee’s personal intervention helped defuse a hijacking attempt. “During the hijack episode, Tandon ji was present along with Vajpayee ji. These stories illustrated both Tandon’s presence of mind and his courage during crises,” said Singh.The defense minister said Tandon’s legacy extended beyond high office. “During the Emergency, Tandon openly opposed the shifting of patients from KGMU to accommodate the delivery of the Governor’s daughter, an act Singh termed symbolic of his lifelong stand for justice,” he said.Singh emphasized Tandon’s deep connection with Lucknow, describing him as a leader who embodied the city’s culture and inclusiveness. “For him, Lucknow was not just a city but an extension of his soul,” Singh said.He also praised Tandon’s administrative decisions, including action against illegal encroachments as urban development minister and his refusal to engage in paid news during elections. Singh said such actions demonstrated his unwavering integrity.Referring to his tenure as governor, Singh highlighted Tandon’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he ensured food distribution to the needy, and his initiatives in Bihar to regularise university examinations and convocations.