The experiences bestowed by Kanchi-Mahaswami — Part 59: From Inspiration to Perspiration
https://www.thuglak.com/thuglak/main.php?x=curissue/ninaithu_paarkiraen_15_12_2021.php
Author : Sri S.Gurumurthy
Translator : C.Rangarajan
The experiences in my life continued to teach me one particular aspect — Life is not what we plan but controlled by the unseen forces. One of the major turning points in my life was the Reliance investigation. Whatever I gained out of that — knowledge, contact network, becoming a journalist, sudden fame, and many other facets that had happened was beyond my capacity & understanding. My life had a complete makeover after the Reliance episode. I got the motivation to investigate the inorganic growth of Reliance, where it was aided by the manipulated government policies. I came to understand the influence & clout of Reliance in the government circles. Two incidents that had happened between Nov 1985 and Feb 1986 made me focus more intently.
Getting ready
Ambani came to know about Goenka’s anger and made efforts to reach out to him. By that time, we had started to gather material about Reliance. Some of them were surprising us. We were sure that it would be become explosive, once the info reaches the public arena. We were trying to gather evidence. It took some time. In the meantime, Goenka & I were discussing whether to meet Ambani or not. We needed at least 2–3 months for preparation. Then, we had to scout for a journalist who could digest the entire matter and make it more presentable to the public. Arun Shourie would have made it much simpler but he was not with IE. I said to Goenka,” Our first impact should be an exploding one and we needed some more time to prepare. We are in the collision path. Do we have to meet him”? He replied, “Guru, you lack experience. We should meet him, try to make peace with him, or at least portray that kind of image. Even, Lord Krishna took that path to meet the Kauravas before the war”.
When one works with a strategist like Goenka, such lessons are bound to come. Moreover, he further replied that Ambani was his friend and cannot avoid him forever. Then, I got the idea of giving an opportunity Ambani to explain his side of the story. It would give us some time for us to prepare too. Goenka had accepted the idea and told me to accompany him. But, I insisted on him to meet alone. Goenka highlighted the IE reports that were favorable to Reliance and were not favorable to others. Ambani replied, “ Ramnath Ji, this was a mistake at our end. I apologize for that and will give assurance that it will not be repeated”. Then, he tried to fish further and rope in Goenka in his political ploys. Both were cordial to each other. In the meantime, Goenka was mediating between Reliance and Bombay Dyeing.
Indira’s govt & Reliance collaboration
As per our evidence, there were two reasons for the phenomenal growth of Reliance. One was the brilliance of Ambani and the other was the policies of Indira’s govt that destroyed his opponents’ business. Post-1980, Ambani’s diktat ran through in Indira’s govt. After her victory in 1980, Indira had participated in only one dinner that was hosted by Ambani. It highlighted the importance of Ambani in the corridors of power and many ministers were seeking his recommendations. Pranab Mukherjee was the liaison between the government and Ambani. Later, he became my good friend too. One of my first posts on the subject was criticizing the activities of Mukherjee.
Unleashed Govt action & violence on the competitors
Despite their success, the Reliance group never commanded the respect like Tata & Birla groups. The govt helped in many ways including levying additional tax on Reliance’ competitors. One of their competitors (Orkay Silks owner Mehra) was arrested & jailed for a month. That indicated the state of govt’s mind towards Reliance competitors. Violence was also unleashed on their competitors by the Reliance group. Reliance & OrkaySilks were competing in many areas of the business. Both had plants at Patalganga.
In 1982, R.K.Mehra’s son Pankaj Mehra was brutally beaten and dumped in the wayside. Someone had helped him and taken him to hospital. Before that, in 1974, another competitor Bipin Kapadia was stabbed. In 1986, Ambani’s fiercest competitor Jamnadas Moorjani was attacked brutally. The fingers of suspicion were pointing towards Ambani’s group but clear evidence was not available. Such acts had sent a message to the other competitors.
Their violent nature came to light when IE started exposing Reliance scams. Henchmen were deployed to kill Nusli Wadia, Bombay Dyeing. The group was arrested by the police on a tip-off and it led to the arrest of Kirit Ambani. Then only, the public came to know about the other face of the group. Slowly, IE was getting ready to face Ambani. Two more blatant acts by the group made us engage actively against Ambani’s deeds.
Murder attempt on Moorjani
In the Reliance affairs, Jamnadas Moorjani was my Guru. He had a firm understanding of the textile industry. Hamish McDonald commented on my investigation, “ Gurumurthy was supported by the large IE establishment. He had access to multiple leads. He was also in touch with the group’s competitors, particularly with Moorjani. Moorjani had a very good reputation since he had a firm grasp on many aspects related to the textile industry. Since 1982, he was fighting against the import tax levied on the polyester”. I had very limited knowledge and Moorjani helped me to acquire mastery over the subject. From Jun/Jul 1985, we were meeting frequently. More and more I got the leads, the motivation/urge to expose the group became stronger.
It became an obsession at one point. It was after the murderous attempt on Moorjani. He was stabbed near his office and bleeding profusely. Luckily, he was rescued by an auto driver and taken to the hospital. His right hand was partially paralyzed. There was no investigation. Everyone in the industry knew about the real enemy. When Goenka & I went to the hospital to meet him, he held our hand & uttered, “ Other than you, no one can fight these asuric forces. I may be courageous but do not have the resources to fight them”. That image kept lingering in my memory, forever. He was spiritual too and a trustee of Chinmaya Mission Trust. Once, he had taken me to Swami for a consultation and I will share that, later.
Kapal Mehra in the prison
Kapal Mehra was emerging as one of the group’s biggest competitors. Reliance had prepared incriminating evidence and gave it to the govt. In 1985, he was imprisoned for 3 weeks. His son and brother were also arrested. He was denied bail by the court. Three days before the arrest, Kapal’s group had shared their 1000 Crores business expansion plan. When he was in the prison, senior Ambani sent a sarcastic note,” if you need any help, please ask”. Ram Jethmalani fought the case for Kapal and mentioned the role of Ambani, indirectly (https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19851130-orkay-silk-mills-chairman-kapal-mehras-arrest-shakes-business-community-802182-2014-01-20).
Kapal Mehra met Goenka after his release from prison. I was there too at the meeting. He said to Goenka,” Even I will continue to oppose Ambani’s method until I die. I cannot do anything till the govt supports him. Only, a person of your stature can tame him”. We could see the tears in his eyes (After the arrest, his decline had started, and became bankrupt). After observing all these incidents Goenka said, “ Guru, leave your CA profession. If we do not oppose him now then he may become all-powerful. You & I are together on this and will have the same impact. Let us not worry”. Then he quoted his famous Srimad Bhagavad Gita verse:
हतो वा प्राप्स्यसि स्वर्गं जित्वा वा भोक्ष्यसे महीम्।
तस्मादुत्तिष्ठ कौन्तेय युद्धाय कृतनिश्चयः।।2.37।।
Either by being killed you will attain heaven, or by winning you will enjoy the earth. Therefore, O Arjuna, rise up with determination for fighting (Sw.Gambirananda).
The above-narrated incidents had happened in Nov 1985. Until the year-end, I & Goenka were debating on the methods to oppose Reliance.
