The second group wrote, ‘We were stunned after reading Mr Mehta’s speech. The business council has taken the very path shown by Mr Mehta. He has proved the common saying, “Anything that enters a salt mine turns into salt.”’
The third group wrote, ‘We are totally in agreement with Mr Mehta on the point that we must not grovel before the government at every step. This speech must have opened the eyes of those who say that we must send our ablest men to the council. We feel sorry for the members of the business council who travelled from Kanpur to Delhi for a sermon about self-confidence.’3
It was the month of Chait. Shimla had grown mellow. Dayakrishna was seated in his library reading when Rajeshwari came in and asked, ‘What kind of a letter is this?’
Dayakrishna replied, ‘This is a matter pertaining to business transactions. It will be produced in the council next week. I had and still have reservations about some of their propositions. Now, I do not understand how I can approve of them. See, three crore rupees have been earmarked for increasing the salaries of high officials. Already, the salaries of these officials are quite high. A further increment is unnecessary, but how do I bring these words to my tongue? All those who are to benefit from this are my daily acquaintances. Military expenses have gone up by twenty crore. When our armies are sent to foreign countries, it is judicious to assume our necessities will increase. However, if I make my opposition to this known, the council will point fingers at me.’
‘It is not right for you to keep quiet out of fear. Besides, if you do so, of what use is your being here?’
‘It is easy to say but hard to implement. Any respect I get here is due to my supplication. If the viceroy’s attitude towards me changes, no one will come to me. See, Raja Badra Bahadur Singh is here.’
‘Is Shivrajpur a big kingdom?’
‘Its annual revenue is not less than fifteen lakh, and it is an independent state.’
‘Raja Sahib is quite attracted to Manorama. It seems Manorama has also fallen for him.’
‘Nothing could be better than if this match were to happen. It is my authority that attracts Raja Sahib here. Did we have this good fortune in Lucknow? Look, the finance secretary Mr Kak is here.’
Kak shook Dayakrishna’s hands and said, ‘Mrs Mehta, I adore your dress. It is a pity that our ladies do not wear saris.’
Rajeshwari said, ‘I would like to wear a gown.’
Kak didn’t like the idea. ‘No, Mrs Mehta, for the love of God, do not commit such an outrage! Mr Mehta, I have brought you some very happy news. Is your noble son arriving soon? Maharaja Bhind would like to consider him for the post of his private secretary. Please inform him urgently.’
‘I am indebted to you,’ said Dayakrishna gratefully.
‘It would be nice if you sent him a telegram. You must have read the report about Kabul. His Majesty Amir does not seem eager to enter into an agreement with us. He has turned to the Bolsheviks. The matter is worth concern.’
‘I do not think so. In the past century, Kabul has not found the courage to attack India. Even India has not taken a step forward. Yes, they are quite capable of defending themselves.’
‘I beg your pardon, but you seem to forget that a coalition has been formed between Iran–Afghanistan and the Bolsheviks. Is the assembly of so many enemies at our border not alarming? It is our duty to be wary of them.’
By now, it was time for lunch. The party sat at the table. The conversation changed to horse racing and dance.4
Dayakrishna’s opinions on the budget raised a storm all over India. One group took his opinions as the holy writ, the second, apart from disagreeing with him on some clauses, largely accepted his opinions. However, the third group shook its head in disappointment at each and every word of the speech and wept over the downfall of India. They couldn’t believe that these words could come out of Dayakrishna’s mouth.
‘I am surprised that the non-governmental members have unequivocally opposed those sections of the proposal on which are dependent the security, peace and progress of the nation. They considered educational reforms, medical reforms and the expansion of canals more important. They were more concerned with the lower income employees. I had greater confidence in their political knowledge. The chief duty of the state is to safeguard the country from internal and external non-peaceful forces. Education and medical care, industry and business, are basic duties. We can see the entire population of our country blissful in a sea of ignorance, we can keep them under the threat of plague and malaria, we can make the lower-income employees fodder for our thought, we can leave the peasants at the mercy of the weather, but we cannot tolerate an enemy standing at the border of our country.
‘If the entire national income is directed towards the security of the country, it would not be a problem for you. You would say that we are not currently under the threat of any attack. I believe that the world is one of uncertainty. Trains can run in the air, water can catch fire, trees can hold a conversation. The roots can be more alert. Does this secret not manifest itself to us each day? You would say that the work of politicians is not to run after probabilities but to solve problems of the present and the immediate future. I would not like to get into a debate regarding the duties of politicians; however, everyone knows that prevention is better than cure. Your responsibility is not merely to sanction military expenditure but to present your own opinion! You would say that the strength of volunteers should be increased.
