Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Mahatma Gandhi

[Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav]

Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav

Senior Gandhian Scholar

Gandhi Research Foundation, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India

Contact No. – 09404955338, 09415777229

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Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Mahatma Gandhi

 

 

Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee was born in 6 July, 1901 and died in 23 June, 1953. He was a famous freedom fighter and leader. He started his political carrier as a member of Bengal Legislative council. In 1944 he joined Hindu Mahasabha and became its president. After Independent he became a minister for Industry and supply in Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru cabinet. 

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You have given me good news. I hope the improvement will be steady. You will see the message I have issued regarding Gurudev. Appa of Aundh is coming here for a week The Burma deputation on 15th. And so the day fills in. Dr. Shyama Prasad wants me to preside at a Gurudev meeting in Calcutta. I have wired ‘No’ for the simple reason that I must finish Andrews Memorial first.” 1 Mahatma Gandhi gave a statement to press, “The action of the Bihar Government in banning the meeting of the Hindu Mahasabha has always appeared to me to be inexplicable. Those who had proclaimed their desire to hold the meeting were responsible men and, what is more, so far as I am aware, trusted by the Central Government and known to be pro-Government. They had and have identified themselves with the war effort. Why such people could not be trusted by the Bihar Provincial Government to behave decently passes my comprehension. I see that Vir Savarkar had accommodated the Bihar authorities to the extent of postponing the session with a view to coming to an understanding. When all attempts at a settlement failed, civil resistance was the only remedy open to the suppressed Hindu Mahasabha. And I must confess it fills me with delight to find Vir Savarkar, Dr. Moonje and other leaders being arrested in their attempt to assert the very primary and very fundamental right of holding an orderly meeting subject to all reasonable restrictions about the preservation of the public peace. I observe that even Dr. Shyama Prasad, the new Finance Minister of the Bengal Government, has successfully courted arrest by committing the same honourable offence that his colleagues have committed. I congratulate the leaders of the Sabha on their dignified and peaceful protest against the utterly arbitrary action of the Bihar Government. There is surely something terribly wrong in it. But out of evil somehow or other good often results. Let me hope that this action of the Bihar Government has brought the Hindus and Muslims of Bihar, and even all India, together on the common platform of human liberty For I am quite sure that the Muslim League could not possibly wish the denial to their sister organization of a liberty which they could claim for themselves. I hope that there will be only one end to this Bihar episode, viz., lifting of the ban on the Hindu Mahasabha and the men who are imprisoned today holding their session without let or hindrance.” 2

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “It was a pleasure to receive your letter of 10th in appreciation of my correspondence with Government. This however I write not merely to acknowledge your letter, but to complain about the opinion you have expressed on Rajaji’s formula on the communal tangle. I had heard that you were in sympathy with the formula if you had not fully endorsed it. Be that as it may I should have thought that regard being had to the relations between us and also yourself and Rajaji, you would have come and discussed the pros and cons before publishing your views. I suppose it is common cause between us that the problem should be solved, the earlier the better. If you have the time and are so minded, we can still discuss the question. I expect Rajaji will be with me at Sevagram which Deo Volente I expect to reach early in August.  Manoranjan Chaudhari was asked by Gandhiji to meet him on July 27. Dealing with this, Joshi said in his reply that Manoranjan Chaudhari was the agent of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee who was bitterly anti-communist as he had been exposed by the communists.” 3

 Mahatma Gave an interview, “Gandhiji says that his association with the Rajaji Formula is personal and is meant to commit nobody but himself. He is, therefore, anxious that people should express their opinion freely and fearlessly. I gathered from our conversation that he welcomed such criticism for he was open to conviction. If he discovered any flaw in the Formula he would have no hesitation in correcting the error. In his opinion the Formula is intended to be just to all. If, therefore, any community was likely to be unjustly affected by the Formula being given effect to, the flaw should be brought to his notice. He was also anxious that people should remember that if an agreement was reached between Quaid-e-Azam Jinnah and himself it would be open to all parties to advocate their points of view before the plebiscite is held and the plan would come into effect only in case of transfer by Britain of full power and responsibility in the governance of India. There was, therefore, ample time for a calm and dispassionate discussion. He also said that the Rajaji Formula was a way of reducing to a concrete form the Congress resolution on self-determination and nothing could operate without the consent of all sections. He assured me that he had always welcomed criticism and that he had flourished on it and that his influence could not be weakened by it.” 4  

Mahatma Gandhi sent a telegram, “You may publish your letter 7^th instant but your interpretation of my remarks requires amendment. Advise awaiting meeting.” 5

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I had your letter of 24th July which I placed before Bapuji. By the time this reaches you you will have seen the summary of Bapu’s recent talk with Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherji not the United Press summary that has appeared in the Bombay Chronicle of the 7th August, but the authentic and authorized version.” 6 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “As desired by Gandhiji I am herewith sending you a letter from Smt. Sachi Rani Sinha Roy of village Gobindapur, District Tippera. It seems to be a genuine case of distress calling for aid. Gandhiji feels that you ought to be able to do something for it. Kindly drop a line in reply and oblige.” 7   

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I must say I do not know that dissensions at the centre are widening nor have I the slightest notion that “the Congress has accepted the lead of the great Hindu Mahasabha leader, Mr. Shyama Prasad Mukherji”. Throughout its long career it has never accepted the leadership of anyone who has not been avowedly a whole-hearted Congressman.”  8

 

Reference:

 

1. LETTER TO AMRIT KAUR, August 12, 1941
2. STATEMENT TO THE PRESS, December 27, 1941
3. LETTER TO SHYAMA PRASAD MUKHERJEE, July 18, 1944
4. INTERVIEW TO SHYAMA PRASAD MOOKERJEE, August 5, 1944
5. Telegram to Shyama Prasad MUKHERJEE, August 9,1944
6. LETTER TO KAILASH NATH KATJU, August 9, 1944
7. LETTER TO DR. SHYAMA PRASAD MUKHERJEE, October 6, 1944
8. LETTER TO H. S. SUHRAWARDY, December 22, 1946