The
'Cow-dung Age' co-exists with the 'Atomic Age'; — curious
sight!—and the cartoonist got his cue, of course from
an exhibition of Nehru's attitude towards the problem
of the day, during the Southern tour.
As head of a State, none expects him to countenance
violence or an incitement to it—no—there are here as
elsewhere men who are level-headed enough—but the South
did expect something definite from Pandit Nehru—an exposition
of his idea—policy—programme about caste. For, none
even of Nehru's stature could keep on postponing—a way-out
ought to be found out—caste should be annihilated. There
can be no difference of opinion about it at all. We
have allowed this 'dead-weight' to exist for too long
a time.
There hence, arose a rare opportunity for Nehru to announce
to the people, on which side he stands—is he for annihilation
of caste or is he for 'Co-existence' even in this field!
Are we to witness a sight akin to the one picturised
by the cartoonist? Pandit Nehru, it is announced by
his admirers, is liberal, progressive; he is up against
all forms of tyranny, and is out to create a new life,
a new society, altogether.
There exists what may be termed as the 'Cow-dung Age'
said Pandit Nehru once, referring to caste—and Pandit
Nehru is found in the company of that very same evil—the
cartoonist catches a glimpse of it.
Vehement, vindictive and violent were the words emitted
by Pandit Nehru—and all aimed against Periyar, whose
object is not shedding of blood but the annihilation
of caste. Methods differ certainly—and if Pandit Nehru
has got something definite to say, about his method
for the annihilation of caste, he would have earned
the thanks of millions. Instead, he chose the wrong
way—one that leads right up to the gutter—and called
names! And has that improved the situation? It could
not! People were shocked to find out, that after all
Pandit Nehru can descend to dangerously low levels,
when irritated. And there are many who say that having
lost mental equilibrium, Pandit Nehru was committing
a grave error, in talking about a subject, which as
before a court at that time—a clear case of sub judice.
Pandit Nehru need not have ascended to such a height,
to fall in such haste, to such a low level! Many thoughtful
men are certainly disgusted and if they have not spoken
as yet condemning the attitude, it is just because the
eminence of Nehru's position creates an awe in their
minds. He was lovable, much respected—but now he is
able to kindle nothing but awe!
Some, at any rate, were able to scent this out, even
before this outburst. The 'Thought' published an analytical
article some months back, on "The Decline of Pandit
Nehru".
The point of view presented by the author of that article,
is shared by many—and their number is growing steadily.
Every act of commission and omission, every harsh and
hasty word, do go to swell their number. Perhaps Nehru,
from the dizzy height, is not able to, or does not care
to hear the rumbling; but the discontent steadily grows.
"Why has Nehru, the hero of yesterday suddenly
come down in the world? There are many reasons although
none of them taken singly would explain very much.
"In India the poor are getting poorer, the rich
richer. The old centres of power, political and economic,
have disappeared but new centres have replaced them
and Mr. Nehru has been either unwilling or incapable
of resisting their insidious power. There is corruption
in the administration, hunger on the streets and to
an increasingly large section of population the future
is bleaker than ever.
"The failure of his foreign policy is almost a
disaster.
"What has he achieved—people ask. He has given
the country neither a sense of direction nor a faith
to replace the old one of Gandhism. Consequently India
today is very much an ideological no-man's land!".
This is what 'Thought' has to say about Nehru. Congressmen
would be infuriated on reading this, but have they got
any defence? No! Hence they denounce anybody who calls
a spade a spade.
"But, have you seen the latest Information Film?"
—Asks the Congress devotee, "and what sayest thou,
for that tumultuous reception given by the masses at
Madras—Bhilai—Bombay—Calcutta anywhere?"
That is offered as a mighty reply to the critics—Nehru's
popularity has not declined, they assert.
We know, how these tumultuous receptions happen to take
place—and know too how fast this 'mania' is melting
away.
Flames of vengeance
During his recent Southern tour, even the over-enthusiastic
reporters could speak about "thousands of people
thronged". On previous occasions these reporters
wrote about "half a million people came to hear
Pandit Nehru"!
And we know here that these "thousands of people"
were sent to the rally, by factories, workshops and
business places, by their respective owners, because
'the government issued an appeal to that effect.
There are ever so many 'symptoms' to be found, about
this decline—but the devotees refuse to face the truth—for,
to do so means getting a shock!!
Granting that Nehru is still the "ideol of the
people", is that explanation enough for the savagery
in thought and word, exhibited without shame, by him?
None interested in decency and fairplay, would come
forward to present such a view.
Granting that Pandit Nehru was irritated to such an
extent, that he lost for the time being his 'balance'
—is that in any way going to solve the problems? The
problem still remains—what is the attitude of Nehru
towards this caste system? Is he bent upon a policy
of Co-existence, or is he for annihilating this awkward
system? What are his methods? These remain to be answered.
"In the context of society today, the caste system
and much that goes with it are wholly incompatible,
reactionary, restrictive, and barriers to progress.
There can be no equality in status and opportunity within
its framework nor can there be political democracy.
Between these two conceptions conflict is inherent and
only one of them can survive".
We have quoted Nehru—and he can't call this as the ravings
of a madman.
Caste system is reactionary, says Nehru—and what are
his methods for annihilating this reactionary system?
Is it by driving away the 'Crusaders' against caste,
bag and baggage, from 'Bharath'! No! That is an outburst,
not of sanity and sobriety.
The explanation, worthy of the eminence of the position
he occupies, is yet to come. There can be no compromise
with the 'Cow-dung Age!' —and co-existence with such
an evil, is a mockery, and a betrayal of the trust entrusted
to him.
"But am I to condescend to express my opinion on
this problem, when you plebeians question me?"
—this patrician would thunder forth, and let us take
along with us, an advocate much respected by Nehru himself,
because he has earned a reputation for himself, in countries
beyond the seas and mountains—we refer to Sardar K.M.Panikkar.
Says that erudite scholar : —
"India won the battle for political freedom ten
years ago. She is now engaged in a more fundamental
struggle—that of securing social freedom for her people.
It is natural that side by side with our tremendous
urge for social emncipation, for liberation from the
dead weight of encrusted custom and superstition there
should also appear on the same time the dark forces
of reaction seeking to defend old institutions and take
us back to an imaginary golden age. These forces appear
in different forms and speak with different accents.
But, their objective, however they may camouflage it,
is the same, to uphold the past. They work through intolerance,
through an appeal to national pride, and to a sense
of exclusive greatness. Unless we win this battle of
reaction and obscurantism of Cow-worship and astrology—of
Pasu Puja and Panchanga Puja—we will remain for all
our vaunted independence, a backward and ineffective
nation."
What is Pandit Nehru's answer? On what side should he
stand, armoured and determined? Is it on the side of
those dark forces which want to retain reaction, or
is it on the side of those who—leave aside their methods—are
waging a relentless war against reactionary system?
Let us again quote Sardar Panikkar—for as yet Pandit
Nehru has not expressed his desire to send Sardar to
an asylum!
"The future of India, all but a few obscurantists
will agree, is dependent on her ability to adjust our
social organisation to modern ideas.
"Most people will accept without question that
the framework of our society, the customs and usages
under which we live, the practices to which we blindly
adhere, the social conceptions which subconsciously
mould our ideas, are in many cases obsolete, unsuited
to modern conditions, and sometimes even at variance
with commonsense".
This is a problem for which Pandit Nehru is called upon
of offer his solution—but, alas, he but takes pleasure
in mouthing slangs and shibboleths.
Perhaps, what Vivekananda said years ago, is true to
this day: The only hope is from the masses. The upper
classes are physically and morally dead"
And the masses today find, a curious co-existence—the
Cow-dung Age and Pandit Nehru secretly gloating over
it.
Advocates of the Congress Camp are sure to retort, "Oh
No! Pandit Nehru will never support caste; he has expressed,
in very strong terms, against it; he is irritated only
at the attempt at violence and his strong words are
aimed only against the policy of inciting violence".
Well, if this argument is to have any validity at all,
Pandit Nehru, at least after his strong and savage attack,
should have unfolded the plan that he has, for the annihilation
of caste.
But, we had no clue even about that. The only contribution
from Pandit Nehru has been the 'billingsgate' language!
And, if somebody were now to come forward to say, that
Pandit Nehru was infuriated, not because there is a
move here for the annihilation of caste, but only because
there has been a talk about violence, we would respectfully
submit that it is the biggest bluff!
Pandit Nehru's uncharitable remarks, acted only as fuel
to the flames of vengeance, already ablaze here—to burn
out into dust, any attempt at the annihilation of the
caste.
(29-12-1957)