"In
our Industrial and economic planning there must be one
single aim, and that is not the ‘wealth’ of India, still
less the wealth of industrial leaders, but simply and
solely a really adequate and comfortable livelihood
for the whole people, their deliverance from the acute
physical want in which literally the majority of them
are living now. Not just a bare livelihood. There must
be comfort, and security; there must be such circumstances
of daily life that the humblest may fulfil themselves
without the paralysis of fear and anxiety."
We have culled out a portion from the brilliant Convocation
Address to the Benares University delivered by an elder
Statesmen, Sir Mirza Ismail, on the 2nd December, 1945—a
period when those in power today were very loud in condemning
men of Sir Mirza’s way of thinking as rank conservatives—stooges
of the British Imperialism.
Given ample and unquestioned power for ten years and
more, it would be pertinent for the ‘critics’ of yesterday
and the Rulers of Today, to ponder over the fact, whether
they have carried out at least the objective of that
conservative. No! The present day rulers might be ferocious
in their attack on critics, but they dare not face the
people to say that a decent life has been assured for
the masses.
Ten years have rolled on—ten exciting years we should
say—plan succeeds plan—manifestoes are issued from time
to time, Conferences and Consultative committees, meet
very often, the Prime Minister’s global tours are being
picturised to be exhibited to the millions, but the
sad plight, the sordid life, the squalor, remain undisturbed,
and the have-notes are asked to tighten their belts
and keep their lips tight, for the ‘dawn’ is sure to
come, dark though it be now.
If the starving ones feel depressed, there is the sunny
smile from that Master Hypnotist, Pandit Nehru and when
that too fails, well, he knows how to scold and scorch
and silence the people.
No Imperialist or a Tyrant, could have had such an abject
submission from the masses, as Pandit Nehru is fortunate
enough to get—the very mention of his name has got still
to a large extent, a spell! But, one finds also, that
the power of this spell, is fast losing its hold! Even
Pandit Nehru is sometimes conscious of—and feels perhaps
sorry for this turn. This was discernable, during those
hectic days following the States Reorganisation. Not
Pandit’s appeal or reprimand, but it was the bullet
that silenced the people!
And Pandit Pant, presented arguments for this ‘annihilation
of the rights’ in the very same way which a gun-man
would present.
But it is not by bullets that the people could be cowed
down.
Bullets create a scare, a terror—but that scare and
terror are oftentimes driven away by despair—and no
despot was able to cope with the fury of the people
in despair.
We have seen a report the other day, about the vituperation
emitted in a volcanic way, by Pandit Nehru, when he
was confronted by a questioner! It is not to be wondered
at—it is to be regretted, for it shows how easily Pandit
Nehru is disturbed.
Instances of this sort go to prove the hard truth, that
Pandit Nehru, finds himself in a quandary.
That he has not been able to translate his good intentions
into realities is patent. And one would feel sorry for
this shortcoming—but when one finds the Pandit becoming
peevish, petulant, when some one comes forward to point
out the failure, that certainly is not to be encouraged
- especially in so great a leader as Pandit Nehru.
Ten long years have gone by, and millions of his countrymen
have shown patience and forbearance, despite the grinding
poverty and degradation - but he who has failed to give
them a decent living, forgets the exalted position he
occupies, and flies into a fury.
The people after having given their unstinted support,
their loyalty, even blind obedience to this leader,
find themselves in the grips of a thraldom, they are
engulfed by hunger and poverty, unemployment and a host
of other evils, and they have a right to question the
master, about this sorry state—and a benign ruler would
be ready to present an apologetic explanation at least;
but here is the Democrat who wants democracies to sit
at his feet to learn the niceties about democracy, pouring
forth vituperatives unworthy of the high place assigned
to him.
Docility is a crime we admit—but not so heinous as to
merit all the abuses emitted by the Pandit.
But we, on our analysis are able to detect the reasons
why the Pandit was so aggressive, that day.
In his heart of hearts he feels that he has erred, that
his plans have toppled or are in the process of getting
toppled; he is in a hurry, trying to find out some means
or other to prop up his pet plans and schemes, and when
in such a state, a mere question irritates him to such
an extent, that he forgets all the ‘Seelas’ he is fond
of vending in the markets of many a country, and begins
to mouth even dirty words and ugly epithets.
Chacha Nehru is often in the delightful company of children—is
fond of patting the teenagers very often—finds it a
pleasure to be amidst youths—all these are welcome symptoms,
but the moment he is questioned, the very mention of
some defect in his policy, is enough to drive away his
buoyant spirit—the crony gets the upper hand, and chacha
beats a hasty retreat.
Perhaps, it is because he feels that the Spell is fast
losing its hold.
That is all the explanation that we could offer to the
anxious reader who enquires, why Pandit Nehru indulged
in such vile abuses, the other day—we referred to the
news item reported, about Pandit Nehru’s severe scolding
on the questioner at Lucknow.
(24.11.1957)