There is a proverb, "Words suffice for the wise, but for a fool ." We do not wish to quote it verbatim.. In the civilized world in which we live, it is not appropriate to behave or talk like it. The rulers in Delhi are not aware of the Indian culture even that extent. If it was so, they would have heard the adage "Enmity is only up to the death" and they would not have got the idea of nurturing the enmity against Swatantryaveer Savarkar even after 38 years of his death. The quote of Savarkar engraved on the memorial erected in front of the Cellular Jail in Andaman was removed even before it was declared open. Investigation must be made as to by whom and on whose orders this action was taken and the criminal who perpetrated it must be punished. Here the question is not only of Savarkar. If any bureaucrat of yester years or today is trying to wipe out the names of those revolutionaries who sacrificed everything, people will not tolerate it. This matter came to light on the August Krantidin (Revolution Day). Subsequently, since 'Maharashtra Times' has put the wrath raging in the minds of the people in words, everday there is uproar in the Parliament. No doubt, it is hurting that a week of the Parliament which is run on the taxes of the people, should be wasted in the tension created out of the foolishness of a Minister instead of resolving the questions close to the heart of the people, but more painful is the selfish partisan stand of the ruling party, like the hardened tough skin of a rhino.
This gentleman, Manishankar Iyer is at present the Minister for Petroleum and Chemicals. The trust of Indian Oil Corporation, which comes under him, has erected this memorial. Iyer himself opened it. The speech delivered by him there is on record. From it, there is enough ground to think that the changes made after erecting the memorial were done on his instructions. If it is not so, he should explain accordingly and bring the guilty persons before the people. But to argue that there is no control of the Petroleum Ministry over the trust is creating intellectual misguidance and cowardice too. As a Petroleum Minister, Iyer is the chairman of it by virtue of his designation. Hence he cannot wash his hands of the matter. The memorial was ready in May only, but its opening was postponed due to the Code of Conduct imposed due to the general elections. That is all. The sculptor who constructed the sculpture prepared the memorial plaques to be put on it. His bills were also passed. Ram Naik has also informed in his letter that accordingly, those plaques were installed on the memorial. If it is true, this offence is of a serious nature. If any change is to be effected in the picture of a Painter, his consent for it has to be taken. It is the 'Intellectual Property Right' of the artist. Here, the Indian Oil Trust has flouted the rights of the sculptor, Uttam Pacharane. But more important question that this is who gave the right to Indian Oil to remove the quote of Savarkar and put in its place quote of Mahatma Gandhi on the memorial before the Cellular Jail where Savarkar underwent the punishment of 'Kala Pani" (Black Waters - a severe RI in a most unsavioury and painful conditions and environments). It is not that Iyer, who has spent so many years in Administrative Service and later in politics does not understand this. But this proves that the Congressmen are willing to go to any extent of stupidity to flatter the party High Command.
There are now elections round the
corner in Maharashtra. On its eve, both sides will welcome kindling of
the communal feelings. Hence, instead of ending this subject, care is being
taken to prolong it. What is regrettable is about the MPs of Maharashtra.
They should have got inflamed on this matter. But all are looking
up to the elections, which are only two months away. Hence, a leader
even like Sharad Pawar is keeping mum instead of telling a few words of
wisdom to the Government. We have also mentioned in this column earlier
that there can be two opinions about the thoughts of Hindutva of Savarkar.
But these people do not have any right to doubt his patriotism. The leftists
in Bengal had also shown their bias against Netaji Subhashchandra Bose,
but later they had to apologise for it. Savarkar is also a sour point in
their eyes all the time. The tributes paid by the Communist Leader Comrade
Shripad Amrit Dange on the death of Savarkar might perhaps give ringing
noise to the brains of leftists. He had said, "The death of Veer
Savarkar removes from the scene of Indian history one of the great anti-imperialist
revolutionaries." Will this thrashing of words of Com. Dange suffice for
wiseacres like Sitaram Yechury?