When the crony gets upper hand then Chacha emits abuses.

Annadurai, Homeland Editorial, 24.11.1957

"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)

Source : http://www.annavinpadaippugal.info/katturaigal/when_the_crony_gets.htm