Ramesh was not as fortunate. He tried different courts but didn’t succeed in his law practice. If the judge didn’t come on time, he would leave the court and wouldn’t return even if he was called back. He’d say, ‘If the judge doesn’t practise punctuality, why should I? Why should I wait for him for hours in the court?’
He conducted interrogations with such courage that the judges who were accustomed to flattery considered his fearlessness audacity. He didn’t know what forbearance was. Whether it was the judge or a rival lawyer, if anyone dared to bandy words with him, he’d give them a piece of his mind. Once he even fought with the district judge. The consequence was—his degree was revoked. However, he continued to reign over the hearts of his clients.
Then he got the job of a professor at Agra College. But his misfortune didn’t leave him there either. He rubbed the principal the wrong way on the very first day. The principal believed that the students should stay away from politics. He didn’t allow any student of the college to participate in any political gatherings. Ramesh began to openly violate this principle on his first day. He declared that students needed to participate in political gatherings. This was a part of their education. If in other countries, students had revolutionized society, why should the boys in his country be suppressed? The consequence of this was—Ramesh had to tender his resignation before the year was over. However, the students continued to adore him.
Thus, led by circumstances and his own inclinations, Ramesh, in the course of time, became a judge. First he fought in the court on behalf of his clients, then he fought with the principal in support of the students and finally he challenged the government on behalf of the common people. By temperament he was fearless, self-respecting and a lover of truth and ideals. For such a person, there was no other option but to become a servant of the common people. His articles on the current state of the country began to appear in newspapers. His discussions were so lucid, touching and comprehensive that soon his fame spread far and wide. People felt that a new sun had risen in the firmament. The government officers cringed after reading his articles. He aimed his target so sharply that it was not possible for anyone to avoid it. The hyperboles flew over their heads thick and fast. They could only watch the spectacle from a distance. These weapons were beyond their reach, or became unwieldy in their hands. Ramesh’s jibes would hit the bull’s eye and create a stir and commotion among the officers.
Yashwant shuddered reading the articles of his old friend. He was afraid lest Ramesh got caught in the grip of law. He repeatedly cautioned Ramesh to exercise restraint and beseeched him to curb the sharpness of his free-flowing pen. Why should he deliberately poke his fingers into the jaws of this poisonous law?
But Ramesh was intoxicated by the idea of leadership. He didn’t even care to reply to these letters.
In his fifth year, Yashwant was transferred from his current job and became the district judge of Agra.4
The political situation of the country was worrisome. The secret police had created quite a panic. Their fabricated stories frightened the officers of the government. Newspaper agencies were silenced in some places while the leaders of the public were stopped at others. To serve their own interests, the secret police poisoned the minds of the rulers in such a way that every man with independent thought appeared a murderer to them.
Ramesh was not one to sit quietly seeing such a state of affairs. As the officers became more and more oppressive, Ramesh’s passion increased proportionately. Every day, he would deliver a speech somewhere or the other and most often his speeches would be filled with seditious sentiments. To speak about what is fair and apparent is itself sedition! If someone’s political speech is not considered seditious, then one should conclude that he has concealed his inner emotions. He doesn’t have the courage to bring whatever there is in his heart to his lips. Ramesh had never learnt to hide the feelings of his heart. Being a mass leader, he couldn’t afford to be scared of the hangman’s noose. If there was disaster coming, let it! He was ready to bear everything. He became an eyesore for the officers.
One day Yashwant sent for Ramesh. Ramesh felt like saying—Why? Do you feel ashamed coming here? After all, you are just a slave. But then he thought for a while and sent a message saying that he would come the following evening. The next day, he reached Yashwant’s bungalow at six o’clock sharp. He didn’t mention this to anyone; partly because others might accuse him of fawning on officers and partly because there was a chance of some harm coming to Yashwant.
The lamps had been lit when he reached Yashwant’s bungalow. Yashwant gave him a hug. The two friends kept on chatting till midnight.Yashwant told him everything about the experience that he had gained from his job. Ramesh was surprised to find out that on many subjects, Yashwant’s political views were much more independent than his. His opinion that Yashwant had changed completely and was playing the tune of loyalty was proved completely wrong.
Ramesh said, ‘My good man. When you’re so disillusioned, why don’t you give up your job? If nothing else, you’ll at least be able to preserve your soul.’
‘You worry about me later. Right now, you should worry about yourself. I’ve called you to give you a warning. Presently, you are a pain in the neck for the government. I’m afraid
