There was a lot of activity in the newspapers regarding his appointment. One set of voices said—‘We cannot congratulate the government for this selection.’ Voices from the other side said—‘This is a supreme example of the generosity and social responsibility of the government.’ There was a third group, too, which, in a subdued voice, said—‘Another pillar of the empire has fallen.’
It was evening. A party for Dayakrishna was held at Kesar Park by the liberals! Important people from all over the region had gathered there. After dinner, the president said in his speech, ‘We are confident that your initiation into power will be beneficial for the masses, and that through your efforts, improvements will be made in those laws that are detrimental to the life of the nation.’
Dayakrishna answered, ‘The laws of the state are subject to contemporary situations. As long as there is no change in these situations, it would be illusory to expect progress in the legal system.’
The meeting got over. One group said, ‘How judicious and praiseworthy is the political system!’ Another party said, ‘He has fallen into the trap.’ The third party shook its head in disappointment but didn’t voice its opinion.2
Dayakrishna had been in Delhi for a month now. It was a Phagun evening. He was seated on a velvet reclining chair near the pond in a corner of his garden. Mrs Rajeshwari Mehta was seated before him practising the piano and Miss Manorama was feeding biscuits to the fish in the pond. She asked her father, ‘Who is the gentleman that just dropped by?’
‘A military member of the council.’
‘He must be under the viceroy, right?’
‘All of us are under the viceroy. Our salaries are all equal but no one can aspire to his merits. Why, Rajeshwari, haven’t you noticed how gentle and well-mannered the English are?’
Rajeshwari said, ‘I consider him to be the very embodiment of courteousness. They are better than us in this aspect too. How lovingly his wife embraced me!’
Manorama was ecstatic. ‘I feel like falling at her feet.’
Dayakrishna added: ‘I have never seen anyone so noble, so refined, so sincere, so virtuous. Our laws of kindness exist only in name. It gives me great sorrow to realize that I have been suspicious of them for so long. In short, the complaints that we have against them are simply because of a lack of mutual interaction. We are not well-versed in each other’s character and nature.’
Rajeshwari averred, ‘We are in sore need of a union club where both groups can have the pleasure of each other’s company. It is the only means of dissipating misconceptions.’
Dayakrishna said, ‘I agree with you.’ He looked at the clock and continued, ‘It’s seven; time for the festivities of the business union. The Indians are in a peculiar state. They believe that an Indian member of the council is the representative of Indians and can work independently. They hope that he can overturn the laws of the incumbent regime and create a new sky and a new sun. They do not consider the limits within which such members function.’
‘But it’s hardly their fault. It is natural that people have all kinds of expectations from one of their own. Now that half the members of the council are Indians, won’t their decisions have any influence on the government’s laws?’
‘Of course they will. In fact, they are influencing laws. But a complete change in the laws is not possible. Even if all the members are Indians, new laws cannot be introduced. How can they forget that their membership in the council is dependent on the grace and trust of the government? Apart from that, once they get there and get to know the internal affairs, they realize that the majority of their concerns are unfounded. The responsibilities of the post also bear down heavily on them. While framing a new law, it is natural that doubts may arise in their minds as to whether or not it will meet the expectations of the people. Consequently, their independence is destroyed. They are wary of meeting those people who have been their accomplices but who, due to their lack of restraint, have become motes in the eyes of the government. They talk about justice and truth in their speeches and in spite of knowing that the laws of the government are injurious still voice their support of it. If they cannot do anything against the system, why would they voice their dissent and suffer shame? In situations like these, the only way is to save oneself through flattery. And the biggest problem is that saying anything against such gentle, generous, and knowledgeable people is like throttling humanity and good conduct. Oh, see, the car is here! Come on, people must have already assembled at the business meeting.’
When they reached the venue, they heard the sound of applause. The president had already read his address, the gist of which was that the government must protect the handicrafts that are liquidated in the face of national competition. For the economic uplift of the country, new factories must be opened and when they turn successful, they must be handed over to economic unions. It is also their responsibility to support those crafts which are still in their infancy so that the public can feel encouraged.
After thanking the president, Dayakrishna announced the industrial laws of the government by saying: ‘Your formulations are blameless. However, bringing them into practice is very complicated. The government may supply you with finances but taking forward the business initiative is the responsibility of the public. You must bear in mind the fact that even God helps only those who help themselves. You are lacking in self-confidence and business sense. Stretching out your hands before the government at each and every step shows your inability.’
The next
