JP in Jail: An Uncensored Account by Devasahayam

Author:Devasahayam [Devasahayam]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, Revolutionary, Modern, 20th Century
ISBN: 9789351940500
Google: KnhsBQAAQBAJ
Publisher: Roli Books Private Limited
Published: 2006-01-31T03:16:50+00:00

16

Even in distress JP holds out an

‘olive branch’

On Wednesday, 17 September when I went to see JP, I was a bit weighed down because our deliberations today could have far reaching consequences. He was expecting me, he said. He was looking better and the swelling in his feet was only local. It has nothing to do with his heart, he said.

He was still drafting the letter to the PM. The deadline of my advice to JP expired yesterday. I could not hold him further from finalizing the letter and give to us for dispatch. If he takes a hardline in the letter that can’t be helped and he cannot be blamed. We have conveyed all his overtures, undertakings to me in writing and willingness to negotiate and reconcile for a political settlement to Delhi promptly. Enlarging JP on parole would have created a conducive atmosphere for reconciliation and normalisation process. But there has been no response whatsoever from the powers-that-be regarding the parole request. It was but natural for JP to feel insulted and withdraw the parole request in a huff.

Yet, I counseled him not to withdraw the parole request. We discussed the pros and cons of it in some detail. I was of the view that it may be a good idea for JP to take advantage of the adversity and the fact that Mrs Gandhi had been put on the defensive for not conceding his request for parole. A harsh letter condemning the Prime Minister for not granting parole and withdrawing it in protest will not achieve anything under the circumstances. It could only create more bitterness, whereas our objective was to create a conducive atmosphere for a possible reconciliation. At the same time JP could give out his mind as to what Mrs Gandhi should do, now that the country has returned to normalcy as per her own claim.

JP listened attentively and agreed with my contention. He said that instead of withdrawing the parole request he was going to insist on it in the wake of new floods as reported in the press. He was going to remind Indira Gandhi that she herself knows about his capacity for organizing relief work. He was also going to categorically demand that PM makes a commitment by October to hold elections on schedule. It should not be difficult for Mrs Gandhi to concede to his demand since she herself is claiming that there is near normalcy in the country. Then why the Emergency and why all the detention, he asked.

Our conversation turned to the Emergency and its aftermath, particularly efforts towards legitimization it. In JP’s view Mrs Gandhi was trying to justify the Emergency on the economic plank and that was the objective behind the 20-point programme, which is just gimmickry. Everybody is talking about it in a mechanical manner without really understanding what they are talking about. These programmes are fast becoming empty slogans like garibi hatao. Vital matters like health, family planning and education are not in the 20-point programme.

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