It
is but natural that one hugging delightful dreams, while
dozing becomes terribly enraged, if he is rudely shaken
off from his slumber. And when he is not actually sleeping
but wide awake courting illusion, he becomes even wolfish
in temper, when somebody presents convincing arguments
shattering the illusion. Most of the Congress leaders
are in a similar predicament. They have been laboriously
building up an illusion—'Bharath, one and indivisible'
—but find today that they are on slippery grounds, their
strength being diminished by the very effort at standing
strong and erect. The pet idea which they have been
nurturing almost with the affectionate care of a fond
mother, is fast becoming unreliable and uncouth, and
naturally they are irritated. Nothing irritates an individual
so much as the consciousness of failure. No amount of
optimism could now brighten up the Congress leaders.
They find to their dismay, that what they have built
up is cracking—the very massiveness of the structure
causing disintegration. Like the anxious school girl
trying to hold too many books and boxes, with her slender
little hands, but finds the bundles thrown topsyturvy,
the framers of the Indian Constitution have attempted
at an unattainability and those who are charged with
the task of maintaining the same, do find themselves
in the jungle, and out of fear and remorse screach forth
still more shibboleths just to get some solace and comfort.
Hence we find Congress leaders getting a shudder at
the very mention of the term, 'Separation'. For, having
been in the company of the illusion—'Bharath one and
indivisible'—they are afraid to face the reality, and
when circumstances emerge continuously, disproving their
idea about 'Unity of India', they fret and foam.
Some of them are taking comfort in the thought that
this talk about separation would die down in course
of time.
Still others think that this is a cry in the wilderness.
There are others who delude themselves with the thought
that this 'talk' emanates from disgruntled politicians.
A handful of them are attempting to brandish hot epithets
and angry denunciations.
No day passes without one of them passing scathing remarks
against the demand for Dravida Nad!
"Till there is one Congress worker left in the
country", pompously declares the Congress leader,
"you are not going to get this Dravida Nad."
We do not know whether he is asking us to take note
of the fact, that the number of Congress workers is
fast dwindling; may be he is trying to be a bit rhetorical,
heroic.
But this is a problem that cannot be floored either
by flippant remarks or fiery abuses. This is an urge,
everyday gaining momentum. Events here and elsewere
are becoming so many arguments in favour of this demand,
and even the vituperation emitted by these eminents
go but to prove, that the demand for separation is justified.
To counteract this momentous urge for a separate existence,
some of the top-men are advancing geographical, historical,
political and even religious reasons, in favour of the
unity of India.
"Bharath is one, from Kashmir to Cape Comorin"
explains the political philosopher of the Congress camp,
"for, from there to here, we worship Shiva and
Vishnu." None doubts that fact. But is that any
reason why all the lands peopled by different ethnic
elements should be cabined in an unrecognisable, and
unmanageable single political entry—grotesque in appearance
and performance? If the worship of Shiva and Vishnu
are to be cogent arguments for welding all the States
into one whole, how is it, that the Son of God is worshipped
in politically independent states, in the European Continent?
None answers! For, there is no answer!!
If Christianity is not advanced as an effective argument
for doing away with National States in Europe why should
Hindu Gods be employed for forging a fallacy?
In their anxiety to put forward some reason or other
to hoodwink the public, some of the Congress politicians
are debasing ethics and religion too.
But, time, the relentless master, is unleashing new
forces and fresh circumstances, — the urge for an Independent
Dravida Nad is gaining more and more strength.
In fact, there were some who had the acumen to visualise
the shape of the things to come.
It was Sarat Chandra Bose, who boldly formulated the
theory of a Separate Bengal — long before partition
— but at that time, a cajolery was employed — 'Hindudom'
was talked about and hence Sarat Chandra Bose had to
fall in line.
But the thought of a separate existence — independent
status — has never died down, in spite of the vigorous
campaign carried on for infusing energy and life to
the illusion.
Whenever the States feel despondent, defeated, and discontented,
at the attitude of the Central Government, the talk
about 'Seceding' bursts forth!
When Delhi was adamant with regard to the oil refinery
question, leaders of various political parties in Assam
spoke about 'seceding from the Indian Union."
Mr. Maganbhai P.Desai, in his Separate Note to the Kher
Commission Report on the language question, points out
that a Congress leader from the non-Hindi region, spoke
about seceding from the Union in case Hindi were to
be imposed from the Centre.
Not all, of course, are as definite and outspoken as
those who advocate Dravida Nad, but in all these speeches,
there are hints, suggestions, indications.
Either it needs time or stoutness of heart, for most
of them to come out in the open to demand what is their
due.
Even those who deride us, and talk disparagingly about
the upsurge of Nationalism here, are oftentimes forced
by bitter circumstances to voice forth their protest
against the all-powerful Centre.
While we talk about 'Separation' —they talk about decentralisation!
We talk about North Indian Domination over the South.
They protest against the Central Government's over-riding
power over the States.
Louder and clearer the protests are becoming—and they
are from varied quarters as well.
Even Congress ministers in our State—the best amongst
the lot of yes-men—are now-a-days becoming heroic! They
begin to assure the people here that they would never
stoop before the North! In fact the Finance Minister
of our State, asks people here to note and applaud his
courage and valour during those passages-at-arms at
Councils of an All-India level.
Probably they are thinking that such assurances are
enough to thwart the attempt of those interested in
fighting for a full-fledged, free State. But, no! Their
very defence acts as a pointer! Their arguments add
strength to the urge instead of annihilating it. For,
the people are able to find out even from the lips of
Congressmen and ministers, that there is an acute problem
facing the South.
"This talk about North and South, is all pure fiction—product
of a diseased brain—the mischief of the reactionary",
so thunder forth the Congress leaders from here. But
on closer scrutiny, we find, these same men are conscious
of the thraldom under which they are placed.
We, of course, unchained to the chariot wheels, are
able to demand—they, poor souls!—fated to eke out their
livelihood by waiting for the crumbs from the master's
table, are prepared only to whine!
But sometimes even this whining assumes significance.
We are accused of being reactionary whenever we point
out the glaring contrast between the North and South,
in the economic field. But, let us here procure the
services of a Congressman of stature.
"Are Ahmedabad and Bombay the only places where
raw materials for the textile industry are available
in plenty? I represented in the previous legislative
assembly 5 districts, 4 of which have the largest area
under cotton cultivation. There is not a single spinning
mill there. Why should you bring all the cotton to Ahmedabad
to be spun into yarn and woven into cloth, and sent
back to the very place where it has come from? Is that
not the very fact against which we had been fighting,
that cotton which is produced in the country was being
taken to Manchester to be woven into cloth and sent
back to us? Was it not for that we fought the British
imperialists? Are we going to supplant one imperialism
by another imperialism?"
It will not be possible for many to put in more vigorously
or valourously the case for the South, than this. And
such a strong case was put up, not inside a Congress
pandal or on the sands of the Marina, but right on the
floor of the Parliament.
"Are we going to supplant one imperialism by another
imperialism?"-was the heroic question put forward—and
the voice was that of a Congressman — it was none other
than Mr. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar—now Speaker.
So at one time or other, someone from the South, gets
up and under the influence of a patriotic fervour, speaks
for his father-land. But, alas, the flesh is weak, temptations
are many, and even brave spirits succumb when once they
are caught in the coils of a sly imperialism.
(Editorial
- 22-06-1958)