The Fourth Issue of "the Dream" of the Rotary Club of Panaji Mid-Town (Vol X Issue IV) was released at the hands of Senior Rtn. Ravindra Dalvi, at the weekly meeting of 6th November 2007 at Hotel Marriott.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
VOL X ISSUE IV - PAGES 06-10
The Fourth Issue of "the Dream" of the Rotary Club of Panaji Mid-Town (Vol X Issue IV) was released at the hands of Senior Rtn. Ravindra Dalvi, at the weekly meeting of 6th November 2007 at Hotel Marriott.
VOL X ISSUE IV - PAGES 11-15
The Fourth Issue of "the Dream" of the Rotary Club of Panaji Mid-Town (Vol X Issue IV) was released at the hands of Senior Rtn. Ravindra Dalvi, at the weekly meeting of 6th November 2007 at Hotel Marriott.
VOL X ISSUE IV - PAGES 16-20
The Fourth Issue of "the Dream" of the Rotary Club of Panaji Mid-Town (Vol X Issue IV) was released at the hands of Senior Rtn. Ravindra Dalvi, at the weekly meeting of 6th November 2007 at Hotel Marriott.
Gandhi Jawaharlal Relationship
The author, Shri Ravindra Kelekar was a part of the freedom struggle of Goa. Recently awarded the Kendriya Sahitya Akademi Fellowship, recipient of first Sahitya Akademi award for Konkani, Konkani Bhasha Mandal’s Literary Award among others. Editor of JAAG, literary monthly magazine. This piece of article was written in Konkani and translated in English by Shri Jaiwant Sardessai.
Gandhiji did not have anyone as a guru. He held in high esteem many a name that had a spell on his life as his gurus. Thoreau, Tolstoy could thus be regarded among others that he had high regards for. Ramchandrabhai’s association helped him to clear his thoughts and consolidate his views on issues concerning religion. He always felt he needed someone in the political field worthy of being called a guru. Here Gokhale’s elderly figure he respected the most. The real guru as such has remained hidden within himself- “Guru Sakshat Parabrahma”was his conviction. At times he went to the extent of believing in his inner voice as the sacred voice of a guru. He did not have a guru in the real sense nor did he regard his associates as his sishyas or disciples; rather they remained as co-workers or associates in common cause. Thus Vinobha, Kakasaheb Mashurwala, Kumarappa, Appa Patwardhan who associated with Gandhiji were not his followers, rather they were his contemporaries with common ideal for a worthy cause. They were as much concerned about the independence of our country. It is in their trust and confidence in Gandhiji as the clear seer of the road to freedom of India that had brought them together.
As for Jawaharlal, although he was one among his co-workers in a common cause, it appears that Gandhi-Jawaharlal relationhip was like that of father and son. It is not always necessary or normal for a father and son to have common opinion on a given matter. Here, indeed we also note a generation gap between the two. As a politician, Jawaharlal was a socialist and highly impressed with Marxist’s philosophy. Yet he was convinced that if we have to attain freedom, it would have to be through the Gandhian way. It is in this particular front that Jawaharlal was his closest follower. Apart from political angle, Jawaharlal never seemed to be unduly worried about wiping out untouchability; similarly he kept himself aloof from other economic activities related to khadi and gramodyog- Jawaharlal was a proponent of large scale industrial growth for India’s progress. All the same he continued to wear khadi that symbolised association with freedom struggle. Otherwise Jawaharlal never concealed his differing views from those of Gandhiji.
Referring to the published records as in “A bunch of Letters” exchanged between the two, it is evident that Gandhiji shows fatherly attachment as per letter dated 15-9-1924 wherein he shows his concern and inquires if he could do something to help Jawaharlal cover up part of his expenses. He suggests he could get a job for him as a scribe or a lecturer in an educational institution if he so desired. Jawaharlal appeared to be concerned about being totally dependent on his father for all his expenses, as per one of his earlier letter to Gandhiji. However Jawaharlal did not have to work to earn his living because soon two of his books got published and he could earn some royalty on the same. This allowed him to dedicate full time in the cause of freedom struggle by Gandhiji’s side. Gradually his involvement in the movement began to be recognised on par with that of the stalwarts of the freedom struggle. People began to associate the name of Jawaharlal immediately as they referred to that of Gandhiji.
It was only in 1927 that Jawaharlal succeeded in establishing his prime position in the congress party. In the same year in the city of Madras, congress convention under the chairmanship of Dr. Ansari was held. Jawaharlal had returned from his European tour where he had likewise visited Russia and was well impressed with the progress Russia had made under communism. His return to India coincided with the opening of Congress Conference in Madras. He felt it was opportune time to stir some revolt in the Congress organisation. Henceforth, Congress ideal cannot be any other than full freedom for India, as demanded by one of the resolution that was approved at the conference.
Gandhiji had not attended this conference. He had however read in detail about the demand for total freedom in the national dailies. He was very critical of all that transpired at the conference and was disgusted at the so-called achievements of this Congress conference. Gandhiji’s criticism was published in his weekly “Young India”:- “Congress has become a laughing stock by passing such resolutions- Congress should wake up and realise such resolutions cannot be implemented. Any resolution without thorough discussion and planning cannot be effectively carried out. Such resolutions stay only on paper. If Congress is run this way, it will lose all respect it enjoys amongst fellow Indians. We cannot afford to perform like collegiate debating societies.”
This criticism in “Young India” made Jawaharlal furious and led him to write a letter to Gandhiji who read and immediately tore it away and destroyed it. Instead Gandhiji wrote to Jawaharlal a letter on Jan 4, 1928. This letter is referred to in the “Bunch of Old Letters” and literally translated it reads as follows:
“I feel that you are so close to me that I even have the right to hold you by the ear and twist it whenever you act in too much haste. I feel that you have to give enough time to properly study a situation and give time to plan your actions. The resolution passed hurriedly yesterday should have been easily put off for a year at least. Your reference to domestic affairs of Spain was really uncalled for and hasty. All the same I am not much worried about such mistakes, but what hurts me most is when you pat the backs of goons and hooligans- I even begin to wonder whether you adhere to the principles of non-violence! I don’t know! You have to understand however that violence is uncalled for and it shall not bring us our freedom. Your experience abroad should have been properly weighed against our local situation before you decided on executing the same. You have to be doubly sure of the consequences of such actions.
Whatever you do, please remember that you adhere to a discipline when you think of building the party. You are now the General Secretary of the Congress party and you have to act in a disciplined way in any organisation”.
Jawaharlal’s reply to this letter was in fact overstepping all decency and respect: “You are a member of the working committee of the party. You have no right to criticise the resolutions passed by the party. These resolutions are of the interest of the party throughout the country. They were all passed after thorough discussion. I regard you as one of the leaders that will show us the way to victory and hence I am your follower in this regard. Besides all the good qualities in you, I value most your courage of conviction. I miss no opportunity to praise this quality which has elevated you as the topmost leader in these uncompromising times. But ever since you have come out of prison, I have been noticing some change in you. You seem to be a lost person! As a result it has led me to ask you what you are really after. But every time the reply I got was far from satisfactory....” “ In the next year and a half I shall be busy and dedicate myself to the cause of khadi.” This was your set reply- quite a few eighteen-month periods have passed and no surprises have emerged from your end! We were waiting to see you achieve the impossible but all in vain! It will take long by the time Indians begin to wear khadi. We don’t see any connection between India’s freedom and khadi”.
I have read all your writings including your autobiography in detail and I have reached a conclusion that I differ much from your viewpoints. I feel that you are mistaken about European culture. You are wrongly stirring up fellow Indians against such drawbacks in European ideology. I feel we can derive a lot from their ideology.....” the letter goes on and on; however suffice it here to refer to the letter Gandhiji sends to Jawaharlal:
“I was always aware of the fact that our opinions differed but I had not realised that they would be such deep rooted. In the interest of our country I wish you had kept aside your ideals and worked with me. If however you were to prefer total independence from me, I shall surrender my authority from this day on. But please do remember you will have to give me a tough fight, out of compulsion that India cannot suffer at my cost. On the other hand we can avoid such conflicts and it’s your duty to do so. A companion, courageous, honest and committed like yourself is too precious to be lost. But please be assured that whatever that transpired will not influence our personal relationship.
In reply to this, Jawaharlal sent one line reply “I shall not work against you” and he continued to work under Gandhiji’s leadership.
Inspite of the prevailing difference between the two, Gandhiji continued to shower praises on Jawaharlal’s involvement; “after me, Jawaharlal will speak out my thoughts, my language”. He even called him his “heir”. This riddle was deciphered by Acharya Kriplani when he made a comment that Gandhiji had always a knack to attract and draw closer even his opponents. Thus Lohiya & Jayaprakash Narayan from Socialist camp were attracted to him and respected him. He was like a smart shepherd who strived to bring back his lost sheep that went away from the flock.
Thus Gandhiji was sure Sardar Vallabhai, Rajendrababu, Badshah Khan will not desert him. About Jawaharlal, he was not so sure. Some of Jawaharlal’s critics would even say “its fashionable nowadays to use and throw away” and he would do the same to Gandhiji”
As facts stand in all the discussions with the Viceroy, Gandhiji was sidelined, since Gandhiji opposed partition of the country. He was totally unaware when the rest came together and agreed to partition India.
Jawaharlal is himself on record telling his biographer Michael Bretcher that Gandhiji was planning to give the British yet another fight that would result in his associates also going to jail again. They were all tired of being imprisoned in jail so they agreed to keep Gandhiji away as he would never yield to Partition of India.
However Jawaharlal was not alone responsible, Sardar Vallabhai was equally involved. In those days Gandhiji found himself isolated!
Be it as may! “Bunch of letters” is a must-read book for all who are concerned.
Gandhiji did not have anyone as a guru. He held in high esteem many a name that had a spell on his life as his gurus. Thoreau, Tolstoy could thus be regarded among others that he had high regards for. Ramchandrabhai’s association helped him to clear his thoughts and consolidate his views on issues concerning religion. He always felt he needed someone in the political field worthy of being called a guru. Here Gokhale’s elderly figure he respected the most. The real guru as such has remained hidden within himself- “Guru Sakshat Parabrahma”was his conviction. At times he went to the extent of believing in his inner voice as the sacred voice of a guru. He did not have a guru in the real sense nor did he regard his associates as his sishyas or disciples; rather they remained as co-workers or associates in common cause. Thus Vinobha, Kakasaheb Mashurwala, Kumarappa, Appa Patwardhan who associated with Gandhiji were not his followers, rather they were his contemporaries with common ideal for a worthy cause. They were as much concerned about the independence of our country. It is in their trust and confidence in Gandhiji as the clear seer of the road to freedom of India that had brought them together.
As for Jawaharlal, although he was one among his co-workers in a common cause, it appears that Gandhi-Jawaharlal relationhip was like that of father and son. It is not always necessary or normal for a father and son to have common opinion on a given matter. Here, indeed we also note a generation gap between the two. As a politician, Jawaharlal was a socialist and highly impressed with Marxist’s philosophy. Yet he was convinced that if we have to attain freedom, it would have to be through the Gandhian way. It is in this particular front that Jawaharlal was his closest follower. Apart from political angle, Jawaharlal never seemed to be unduly worried about wiping out untouchability; similarly he kept himself aloof from other economic activities related to khadi and gramodyog- Jawaharlal was a proponent of large scale industrial growth for India’s progress. All the same he continued to wear khadi that symbolised association with freedom struggle. Otherwise Jawaharlal never concealed his differing views from those of Gandhiji.
Referring to the published records as in “A bunch of Letters” exchanged between the two, it is evident that Gandhiji shows fatherly attachment as per letter dated 15-9-1924 wherein he shows his concern and inquires if he could do something to help Jawaharlal cover up part of his expenses. He suggests he could get a job for him as a scribe or a lecturer in an educational institution if he so desired. Jawaharlal appeared to be concerned about being totally dependent on his father for all his expenses, as per one of his earlier letter to Gandhiji. However Jawaharlal did not have to work to earn his living because soon two of his books got published and he could earn some royalty on the same. This allowed him to dedicate full time in the cause of freedom struggle by Gandhiji’s side. Gradually his involvement in the movement began to be recognised on par with that of the stalwarts of the freedom struggle. People began to associate the name of Jawaharlal immediately as they referred to that of Gandhiji.
It was only in 1927 that Jawaharlal succeeded in establishing his prime position in the congress party. In the same year in the city of Madras, congress convention under the chairmanship of Dr. Ansari was held. Jawaharlal had returned from his European tour where he had likewise visited Russia and was well impressed with the progress Russia had made under communism. His return to India coincided with the opening of Congress Conference in Madras. He felt it was opportune time to stir some revolt in the Congress organisation. Henceforth, Congress ideal cannot be any other than full freedom for India, as demanded by one of the resolution that was approved at the conference.
Gandhiji had not attended this conference. He had however read in detail about the demand for total freedom in the national dailies. He was very critical of all that transpired at the conference and was disgusted at the so-called achievements of this Congress conference. Gandhiji’s criticism was published in his weekly “Young India”:- “Congress has become a laughing stock by passing such resolutions- Congress should wake up and realise such resolutions cannot be implemented. Any resolution without thorough discussion and planning cannot be effectively carried out. Such resolutions stay only on paper. If Congress is run this way, it will lose all respect it enjoys amongst fellow Indians. We cannot afford to perform like collegiate debating societies.”
This criticism in “Young India” made Jawaharlal furious and led him to write a letter to Gandhiji who read and immediately tore it away and destroyed it. Instead Gandhiji wrote to Jawaharlal a letter on Jan 4, 1928. This letter is referred to in the “Bunch of Old Letters” and literally translated it reads as follows:
“I feel that you are so close to me that I even have the right to hold you by the ear and twist it whenever you act in too much haste. I feel that you have to give enough time to properly study a situation and give time to plan your actions. The resolution passed hurriedly yesterday should have been easily put off for a year at least. Your reference to domestic affairs of Spain was really uncalled for and hasty. All the same I am not much worried about such mistakes, but what hurts me most is when you pat the backs of goons and hooligans- I even begin to wonder whether you adhere to the principles of non-violence! I don’t know! You have to understand however that violence is uncalled for and it shall not bring us our freedom. Your experience abroad should have been properly weighed against our local situation before you decided on executing the same. You have to be doubly sure of the consequences of such actions.
Whatever you do, please remember that you adhere to a discipline when you think of building the party. You are now the General Secretary of the Congress party and you have to act in a disciplined way in any organisation”.
Jawaharlal’s reply to this letter was in fact overstepping all decency and respect: “You are a member of the working committee of the party. You have no right to criticise the resolutions passed by the party. These resolutions are of the interest of the party throughout the country. They were all passed after thorough discussion. I regard you as one of the leaders that will show us the way to victory and hence I am your follower in this regard. Besides all the good qualities in you, I value most your courage of conviction. I miss no opportunity to praise this quality which has elevated you as the topmost leader in these uncompromising times. But ever since you have come out of prison, I have been noticing some change in you. You seem to be a lost person! As a result it has led me to ask you what you are really after. But every time the reply I got was far from satisfactory....” “ In the next year and a half I shall be busy and dedicate myself to the cause of khadi.” This was your set reply- quite a few eighteen-month periods have passed and no surprises have emerged from your end! We were waiting to see you achieve the impossible but all in vain! It will take long by the time Indians begin to wear khadi. We don’t see any connection between India’s freedom and khadi”.
I have read all your writings including your autobiography in detail and I have reached a conclusion that I differ much from your viewpoints. I feel that you are mistaken about European culture. You are wrongly stirring up fellow Indians against such drawbacks in European ideology. I feel we can derive a lot from their ideology.....” the letter goes on and on; however suffice it here to refer to the letter Gandhiji sends to Jawaharlal:
“I was always aware of the fact that our opinions differed but I had not realised that they would be such deep rooted. In the interest of our country I wish you had kept aside your ideals and worked with me. If however you were to prefer total independence from me, I shall surrender my authority from this day on. But please do remember you will have to give me a tough fight, out of compulsion that India cannot suffer at my cost. On the other hand we can avoid such conflicts and it’s your duty to do so. A companion, courageous, honest and committed like yourself is too precious to be lost. But please be assured that whatever that transpired will not influence our personal relationship.
In reply to this, Jawaharlal sent one line reply “I shall not work against you” and he continued to work under Gandhiji’s leadership.
Inspite of the prevailing difference between the two, Gandhiji continued to shower praises on Jawaharlal’s involvement; “after me, Jawaharlal will speak out my thoughts, my language”. He even called him his “heir”. This riddle was deciphered by Acharya Kriplani when he made a comment that Gandhiji had always a knack to attract and draw closer even his opponents. Thus Lohiya & Jayaprakash Narayan from Socialist camp were attracted to him and respected him. He was like a smart shepherd who strived to bring back his lost sheep that went away from the flock.
Thus Gandhiji was sure Sardar Vallabhai, Rajendrababu, Badshah Khan will not desert him. About Jawaharlal, he was not so sure. Some of Jawaharlal’s critics would even say “its fashionable nowadays to use and throw away” and he would do the same to Gandhiji”
As facts stand in all the discussions with the Viceroy, Gandhiji was sidelined, since Gandhiji opposed partition of the country. He was totally unaware when the rest came together and agreed to partition India.
Jawaharlal is himself on record telling his biographer Michael Bretcher that Gandhiji was planning to give the British yet another fight that would result in his associates also going to jail again. They were all tired of being imprisoned in jail so they agreed to keep Gandhiji away as he would never yield to Partition of India.
However Jawaharlal was not alone responsible, Sardar Vallabhai was equally involved. In those days Gandhiji found himself isolated!
Be it as may! “Bunch of letters” is a must-read book for all who are concerned.
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