The experiences bestowed by Kanchi-Mahaswami — Part 20 : If you Touch Me …
(A humble translation of the original article by Sri S.Gurumurthy , as it had appeared in Thuglak Tamil Magazine) —
https://www.thuglak.com/thuglak/main.php?x=curissue/ninaithu_paarkiraen_13_01_2021.php
For 40 years, Goenka was a terror to the centre-state governments and he was continuously fighting against the govt of Nehru, Indira & Rajiv was a symbol of independent journalism. The present-day journalists may not be aware of that. He pledged his wealth, relationship in that battle. He was not a simple soldier. Until he smells victory, the battle would be waged. Goenka was not fighting the democratic governments but the autocratic ones. He realized that they cannot be won over in a Dharmic way; Hence, he had to resort to Chanakya/Machiavellian tactics and tried all possibilities including sly tactics too.
Dharma Yuddha vs Secret/Guerrilla War
In our country’s recent past, two great soldiers were there — one was legendary Maharana Pratap. He placed valour over his life and never took a back step. But the symbol of valour could not achieve the victories. The other one, Legendary Chatrapati Sivaji. He was as brave as Maharana Pratap. But, he played out a measured battles against his enemies; As the situation & time dictated, either he would attack or retreat. His end goal always was the victory. Maharana Pratap fought dharmic battles against the invaders, who were fighting adharmic battles and lost. Whereas, Sivaji had realized such dharmic tactics would not work against the adharmic enemies and resorted to clandestine warfare.
In our puranas & history, only the Dharma-yuddha was worshipped and the clandestine warfare was condemned. Chanakya had understood the attitude of Alexander, who hailed from a country, where Dharma-Yuddha was not known; Hence, he highlighted the secret warfare in his Arthasastra. Secret warfare needs lots of planning and defining tactics. Goenka fought a secret warfare like Sivaji. He was using multiple techniques and confused the enemies — battle, peace, threatening, submissive. I learnt such techniques from him directly and earned the experience, while working with him.
In the same manner, in his old age, he gave the reins to me to fight against Rajeev Gandhi. Such experience was a rare one. His battle was like the one Sivaji’s tactics that was based on Chanakya Neethi. One aspect of such battles was his strategy against V.C.Shukla’s threat to arrest him. He shared the details with me, Arun Shourie and Prabash Joshi (Express groups’ Hindi editor).
“What did you was right”, mentioned G.D.Birla
After abusing V.C. Shukla with choicest words, he drove his car and went to Oberoi hotel, where G.D.Birla (K.K.Birla’s father) was staying. He briefed G.D.Birla (Though G.D Birla was elder to him, they were like friends). During the emergency period, G.D Birla once said, “You are doing a fantastic work. Let me know if you have any financial needs. Sky is the limit”. Goenka thanked him for that and never ever encashed that open cheque). After some time, K.K. Birla, who was sweating profusely, reached there. He was lamenting at top of his voice, “Everything went waste. Goenka spoiled it”. G.D Birla mentioned, “Goenka did the right thing; Don’t panic”. K.K. Birla replied, “You old people have become senile. You are not aware of the happenings in the country. What is happening is an autocratic rule. No law, no justice; By tonight, Goenka’s family would get arrested under MISA. All my efforts to prevent that were spoiled by Goenka”. The elder Birla consoled him and told that Goenka knew how to handle it. The meeting ended there.
Noble vs Crafty
To unite Indira (she was staying with Nehru at Delhi) & Feroze Gandi (living in Lucknow), Nehru had requested Goenka to offer a job to Feroze. In earlier chapters, I had mentioned about the appointment of Feroze as the MD in Indian Express. Both Feroze (to Goenka) & Indira (to JP) had written about the home disputes. Goenka was in possession of those letters. He had placed those letters with Indian Express reporter at London, P.K.Tiwari, sensing that they may be useful during troubled times. Before going for his surgery at Vellore in 1974, JP had sent those letters back to Indira. When Goenka asked for the reason, JP remarked, “If I die, someone may misuse those letters”. It was a big disappointment for Goenka.
Goenka lamented about Indira’s atrocious act of arresting a noble person like JP under MISA. Goenka was saying, “On 24th Jun 1976, you were travelling in a car and asking for a full revolution. Now, you are in a jail. Whereas Indira was saying that the country remains peaceful and insulted you”. Thus, Indira defeated JP, who was waging a Dharma-yuddha. Where as, the crafty Goenka used Feroze’ letters to escape from the prison life.
If you touch me…
During the emergency period, a Tamilian from Bengaluru was advising Indira on the finer aspects of the law. I do not remember his name. That lawyer was close to Goenka. After returning from G.D.Birla meeting, he called that lawyer and said, “In 1950s, Feroze had written letters about his shaky marital life. My son did a mistake. He had sent the letters to our reporter at London and requested the reporter to pass on the letters to the English medias, in case, if we get arrested. It will be circulated in England as well as in other countries too. Our Nation’s image will get diminished. As a patriot, I do not want our country to get insulted like that. Indira & I may have many differences. But I do not want to tarnish our country’s image. Hence, I have written a letter to the London reporter asking him not to publish the letters, given by son. I will hand over the letter & phone number to you. Please pass on this letter to our London report”.
In those days, Fax was yet to be invented. One has to deliver the letters directly. In the same time, Goenka had asked Tiwari not to take any calls. Having understood the enormity of the situation (What happens, If I am touched…), the lawyer went to Indira and briefed her about the same. Immediately, she called for the file related to Goenka’s arrest and wrote, “Take all possible action, except arrest”. This was in July 1976.
After the 1977 elections, Janata party came to power. Along with Goenka, I had gone to meet Morarji to explain about the cases that were foisted on IE, by Indira. Goenka had requested Morarji to show last year’s July file to the young man. Goenka pointed out to Indira’s writings and laughing told in Tamil, “Look, how I threatened the lady, who was having the entire Nation in her grip”. Morarji was perplexed. Then, I explained him in English. He also joined. Now, let us return to the story of 1976, Indira vs Goenka.
Dismissal of Congress nominated Directors
After that, the government waged a direct war with Indian Express. Multiple actions were taken. Through I & B, she drove a propaganda that Goenka was evading from paying tax, a criminal etc. When Goenka gave his replies, other than our paper, no one was allowed by the Govt to publish. That propaganda was on a pending litigation in the courts. Hence, Goenka filed contempt of court cases against the Government. He wrote to PMO also. On 30th July, Govt nationalized a jute mill owned by Goenka and started the spreading similar propaganda. Thirdly, on 16th Aug, using censor board, Govt stopped publishing of the newspaper for several days. Again, Goenka filed an affidavit in Bombay high court. Due to the pressure given by the Govt, Indira had to take back the orders on 30th Sep.
Fourthly, on the next day (Friday), electricity was disconnected to Express office & printing press, by the Indira govt. Since it was a weekend, Goenka could not reach out to court and the newspaper was not published for 3 days. The govt was lying that it was due to a cable fault. But the other offices like
Times of India were not having the problem. On Monday, Goenka filed a writ petition in the court. Finally, the power was restored on Monday afternoon. Fifthly, Govt lied (tax evasion), gave a small advertisement in an unknown newspaper and auctioned a printing machine. The person, who bought that came to Express office with that machine. Then only, Goenka came to know about that. Again, he filed a writ petition against that. Again, the courts stayed the auction process.
Meanwhile, he told me to dismiss all the 6 directors (including K.K. Birla) nominated by Congress. For them to continue in their position, they must be approved by shareholders. Otherwise, they cannot continue. Since, Goenka was owning 100% share in IE, if he does not want, they cannot continue as directors. If Goenka does not ratify their continuation in the GB meeting, then they would cease to be directors. This advice was tendered by me. Then, Goenka wrote a letter to them that the shareholders did not want them to continue any more. Without saying, he dismissed them in one go. Only Goenka had the temerity to black face not only those 6, but Indira & Sanjay too. Even, his enemies must have secretly admired the same.
In the 1st week of Jan 1977, Goenka had told me that the state of emergency would come to an end. In the next episode, let us see the crafty plan designed by him.
