HE NEHRU HOUSEHOLD is the only Tone (to my knowledge) in which three generations of women partici-pated in national political life during the Independence struggle. The Nehru Women Anand Bhawan (the Nehru home in Conflicts and Stresses During the Freedom Movement ) became the central point for all nationalist activities, not only Suruchi Thapar in Allahabad, but for the whole of . The Nehrus were Saraswat Brah-mins and hailed originally from make a good Hindu out of me [and level of awareness and involvement Kash-mir. Besides being an elite who] insisted on taking me to the in political work of individual women. household, the Nehrus were “different temple.” (Hutheesingh, 1967: 26). Women did not take to nationalist because the family was more Swaruprani was from the first activities ‘naturally’. They were progressive than others and our way generation of women, but also the ridden with conflicts and ambiguities of living was foreign oriented.” only one from her generation in that which had to be resolved. For some, (Pandit, 1979: 32), Motilal Nehru was particular household to have like Vijaylakshmi Pandit, domestic life drawn immensely towards the British participated in the nationalist was endangered, while for women like way of living. As Vijaylakshmi remarks: movement. Age, education, nature of Swaruprani, politics was a totally new “He mostly wore European clothes the imme-diate influence (be it from activity. Dilemmas had to be resolved outside the home, ... entertained father, brother or uncle) and social both in the home and ‘in the streets’. lavishly and gracefully. The guests constraints of the time affected the Swaruprani initially found it were carefully chosen, the dining table difficult to fully set with Sevres, crystal and silver...” comprehend the (Pandit, 1979: 36, 37). Motilal’s second changing reality. As daughter, commenting on their her daughter writes: lifestyle, said: “Six days a week we “Mother’s horizon did ate in western style, wearing our not extend beyond the English clothes and sitting in Victorian family. Her philosophy chairs... On Jhe seventh day, or on of life was simple and Hindu festivals, we ate in the Hindu her mind uncluttered manner.” (Hutheesingh, 1967:7). by doubts. She Swaruprani Thussu, Motilal’s accepted the second wife, also came from a background and Kashmiri Brahmin family, but unlike traditions that she had her hus-band or daughters, “There inherited and was had been no western influence in her content to function upbringing... She understood but unquestioningly spoke no English, yet this did not within that prevent her from doing her duties as framework.” (Pandit, a hostess at western style parties.” 1979: 39). Thus it came (Pandit, 1979: 38). Her orthodox as no surprise when upbringing also influenced her ideas Swaruprani objected towards the upbringing of the second to both her husband generation, that is, her daughters. and her son’s Krishna Nehru writes,”The person nationalist activities. who frustrated Miss Hooper most in She was a woman for her attempt to make me an English whom family life was lady was my mother, who wanted to Nehru’s mother, Swaruprani very important.

No.77 (July-August 1993) 13 Vijaylakshmi writes: “This was a time especially mother, who was of great domestic strain, and constant completely broken. On Jawahar’s adjustments and compromises were shoulders fell the entire burden of our called for. New thinking was necessary little family... soon he took his father’s for new designs that would affect the place and we started to depend on national destiny that now began to him more and more for every little take shape. Mother felt acutely thing. We still do so...” (Hutheesingh, miserable over all that was happening. 1944: 74). The person she loved most, her son, It was Swaruprani who had a was deeply disturbed and unhappy. difficult time both in adjusting to the He was obviously on the verge of changing family situation and the some action that she would have various demands of the nationalist appreciated in a mythological figure movement which were threatening her but not in one on whom her hopes of traditional orthodoxy and certain of happiness on earth and her place in her fixed notions about Hindu heaven depended. Then there was the womanhood. serious situation developing between In the 1920s, the charkhaandkhadi her husband and her son. What was Motila Nehru were seen as the cultural symbols of going to happen? How could she take nationalism and . Gandhi, who sides or understand this new an arrest or to cart away costly rugs encouraged spinning and weaving ‘mahatma’ whose business, if any or furniture in payment of small fines... khadi, saw it not only as a means of thing, should have been to look after From moment to moment we lived a self-reliance but also as a means of people’s morals instead of meddling confused and unpredictable life, never promoting the indigenous industries. in family matters? It was a ridiculous knowing what might happen next.” He asked the nation to forsake foreign idea to fight a powerful government (Hutheesingh, 1969: 34). cloth and take to handspun cloth. S by getting oneself locked up in jail. It I have described the tensions and waruprani was not appreciative about was wrong to abandon ones’s uncertainties in the Nehru household burning foreign cloth; nor was her family.” (Pandit, 1967: 69). during the early years of the elder daughter, Vijaylakshmi Pandit. On December 6,1921 Jawahar and nationalist movement because I think The rest of the family was supportive Motilal were arrested due to their they were crucial in shaping the about the boycott. Vijaylakshmi involvement in non-cooperation. This consciousness of the women Pandit remarks: “However, in this, as was the first time that they were being members, women who had been in most other things, our family took put behind prison bars. Writing about dependent on their menfolk (Jawahar the lead, with only mother protesting the stress and uncertainty and Motilal) not only emotionally but and I silently a betting her.” (Pandit, experienced by individual members of for physical comforts too. Krishna 1979: 83). the Nehru family, KrishnaNehru Nehru writes: “Father had a strong, Swaruprani’s resentment towards states: “We did not know what over-powering personality and a khadi was apparent at her daughter, hardships were in store for them. It kingliness which made him stand Vijaylakshasi’s wedding. Kashmiri was hardest of all for my mother to apart... To as children and many brides usually wear pink cotton saris whom the past few months of constant others dependent Bpon tern, he was on their wedding, along with jewellery change had been a sort of nightmare a tower of strength. And I am afraid (given to them by their parents). This she had not quite fathomed. But she we took full advantage of the fact.” was conveyed to Gandhiji, and teek was a brave wife and a still more brave (Hutheesingh, 1944: 70). And when came a letter saying he could not mother. On no account would she Motilal Nehru died (the oldest male approve of this at all. I must weartoadt allow the others to see bow wretched member), dependency was shifted on and fee was no question of jewels she felt at that moment.” to Jawahar. There were many family being worn.” (Pandit, 1979:72). (Hutheesingh, 1944:25). matters that hid to be looked Mo by Vijaylakshmi describes fcer Elsewhere, KrishnaNehru writes: Jawahar, but had to be kept pending mother’s reaction: “Mother could not “The police swooped down on us at dae to his absence. At that time all of have been more angry. She had, so any hour of the day or night—tomake us needed his presence badly, far, not accepted Gandhiji as a friend,

14 MANUSHI conld not understand Ms politics and neces-sary for the well being of and participate requires more certainly did not think he had the right Kamala’s husband.” (Kalhan, 1973: research. Swaruprani was involved in to advise the family on personal 89). a number of activities and carried on matters.” (Pandit, 1979: 72). S In the capacity of a mother-in-law, with them even after the death of her waruprani remarked: “If she must be she had certain fixed ideas — a close husband. The fact that her husband dressed like a villager’s child, there reflection of her orthodox upbringing was dead and by January 1932, the will be no wed-ding.” (Andrews, 1967: and theprevailing social ideology. For main leaders, Jawahar, Gandhiji and 68). A com-promise was reached example, Swaruprani’s idea of having Vallabhbhai, were arrested, might have between Motilal and Swaruprani that only grandsons. Krishna Nehru given sufficient cause to Swaruprani the khadi would be dyed shell pink! narrates an episode: “After what to participate and keep the movement Similar anxiety was expressed at seemed an age to me, the doctors going. Krishna Nehru writes: “Many Krishna’s wedding by her mother. On came out. The Scottish doctor who of us who had not taken a very active Krishna’s wedding, deliv-ered Kamala announced to my part in the previous movements, now sent a letter to her in which one of the brother: ‘It’s a bonny lassie, sir’. My threw ourselves with all the strength things that was mentioned was that mother blurted out: ‘Oh! But it should and enthusiasm at our command into “I see that Swamp and Kamala are here have been a boy’. She had wanted a the struggle. My mother, aged and to get together a hurried trousseau son for her only son, and the women delicate though she was, did not lag for you, and are complaining of the folk around her pulled long faces in behind. She went about addressing limited choice that shudh khadi offers sympathy. Father, irritated, chided her: meetings both in the towns and for bridal raiment.” (Hutheesingh, ‘Have we made any difference adjoining villages. She was a 1944). between our son and daughters in constant source of surprise to us. All Swaruprani’s consciousness, their upbringing? Do you not love her life she had been more or less an which had also to resolve the social them equally?” (Hutheesingh, 1969: invalid, but suddenly she seemed to constraints of her generation, could 18). have gained strength and great not foresee younger women What then finally made deter-mination from some higher (daughter and daughters-in-law) Swaruprani come out on the streets sources.” (Hutheesingh, 1944: 77). giving up their jewellery and Her activities ranged from other finery that they were break-ing the salt laws to appeals accustomed to. In 1932, Kamala to other women to participate. Nehru visited Ramakrishna Math Presiding over a meeting in at Belur to meet Swami Allahabad, she said: “If you are Abhayananda and also Jawahar, true to the motherland, then you who was in Alipore jail. Swami should start manufacturing salt Abhayananda re-members one in every home.” (The Leader, occasion when the mother-in-law April 20, 1930; p. 10). When she expressed her anxiety at her was not occu-pied with her daughter-in-law leading an activities, she was visiting her ascetic life. “She ate very little, children in the jail, “parted by was absolutely indif-ferent to grim prison walls from those she dress, and had given up wearing loved best.” (Hutheesingh, 1944: jewellery totally,” said 126). As a mother, she also Swaruprani. “Almost in tears, wanted to experience the jail Swaruprani implored the swami conditions. Swami Abhayananda to request Kamala to wear at least mentions one in-cident: “It was a necklace and a pair of bangles. an unusually hot day when I After all, she was in the prime of went to call on the two ladies. To life, and as befitted a Hindu wife, my great surprise I found that the she should keep up her position ceiling fan in their room was not by dressing suitably. According working and Swaruprani looked to Hindu custom, this was as if she was boiling in the heat. Vijayalakshmi Pandit

No.77 (July-August 1993) 15 Kamala quietly told me the reason. For , “home” They had visited Jawahar’s cell in was important not only “in the life the jail on the previous day. It was of an individual but also in the life not provided with a fan and he was of a nation.” She argued that “a feeling the heat intensely.. The reconciliation has to be brought mother’s heart was touched, and, aboutbetween the family and the henceforth, she refused to enjoy outside world and both have to be the comfort of an electric fan while saved and conserved as both are her son rotted in the hot prison equally needed by the individual.” cell.” (Kalhan, 1973:91). A feeling “I would make a few suggestions of guilt after her husband’s death below which, if carried out and her seeing Jawahar as the only faithfully, would en-able every surviving link between her young housewife to serve the husband and her could also country effectively without explain Swaruprani’s sudden interfering with her household activities in the nationalist duties.” “A determi-nation should movement. Swaruprani’s be made (1) to make exclusive use participation can possibly be seen of Swadeshi with preference to as involving more a factor of khadi. (2) to spin the charkha political and emotional support to regularly for half-an-hour’ a day.” her family than a keenness towards (Nehru, 1950: 60-70). political life. What Krishna Nehru It can be argued that has to say about her mother could Rameshwari Nehru adjusted well to perhaps explain more. “The years Kamala Nehru the political demands of the period. that followed were more difficult As has been said for her: “She for her. Yet we never heard one word Rameshwari were active partici-pants started her earthly career with the birth of complaint or regret at the change in the nationalist movement. of the ” and that had taken place so late in her life, Rameshwari Nehru; wife of Brijlal after marriage, “found her public breaking its ordered routine of Nehru, and cousin of Krishna Nehru, career linked up with that of the family security and peace into uncertainty was more inclined towards social of Pandit Motilal and Jawaharlal and hardships. After father’s death, re-form work. She was the editor of a Nehru.” (Nehru, 1950: 3). For women she was completely broken. Being Hindi magazine from Allahabad, Stree activists like Kamala and Vijaylakshmi, very orthodox at heart, she believed Darpan, and in 1909, she started the the nationalist period was trying. The that she must have committed some Prayag Mahila Samiti. She advocated needs and de-mands of their personal women’s rights and linked women’s terrible sin in a previous birth to have lives, their am-biguities and conflicts freedom with national freedom. her husband taken away from her in were brought to the forefront and had “Swaraj cannot be attained by people this life. Besides, she had always been to be resolved. Kamala Nehru whose other halves are stricken by the weak and ailing one and had belonged to a tradi-tional orthodox paralysis. The process of curing that always imagined that she would die paralysis, of shaking the sleepy Hindu home. Purdah was observed first, as was the right and proper thing part-ner out of her inertia, by infusing when the family was on a visit to for a Hindu wife to do... Father had life into her, cannot but bring strength another place. “She was given firm never known aday’s illness. It was jail to the whole nation. The battle of instructions to stay indoors like the life with all its privations that brought swaraj has to be fought by men and rest of the women folk of the family.” him to a premature end... mother women alike. The women of , (Kalhan, 1973:3). However,”She found continued to exist but only for her who are suffering from innumerable a way out. Donning her brother’s children, especially Jawahar.” disabilities and are the victims of bad clothes, her long hair tucked inside a (Hutheesingh, 1944: 127). customs and unjust laws, are small turban, she would sneak out to The second generation of Kamala incapable of performing the duty of play with them.” (Ibid). True to her (born 1899), Vijaylakshmi (born 1900), fighting for swaraj in any large childhood nature, Kamala’s ‘way out’ Krishna (1907), Uma (1884) and numbers.” (Nehru, 1950:12) from the suffocating joint family set

16 MANUSHI up after her marriage, was ‘politics.’ ... at everyone’s place, the strange financially dependent on her in-laws. But before that she had to first adjust food, and most of all perhaps, the Jawahar himself, except for the small to the westernised lifestyle that she quick loud voices of our many British sum that he received as dividend from was wed-ded to. Jawaharlal remarked: guests, made her feel lost and lonely.” shares, was totally dependent on his “Except for a little schooling, she had (Hutheesingh, 1967: 9). “My father. Financial insecurity and long no formal education; her mind had not sister, Nan, who was almost exactly separations from her hus-band, it can gone through the educational her age, felt the usual complicated be argued, worked on Kamala’s mind process. She came to us an sister-in-law feelings for her.” (Ibid). and made her more determined to unsophisticated girl...” (Nehru, 1946: Jawaharlal also remarked: “We make her life more meaningful and 40). Motilal Nehru himself took on the were attracted to each other and got purposeful. Jawaharlal makes the task of educating Kamala. “Besides, on well enough, but our backgrounds picture more clear when he says: he wanted her to acquire some of the were different and there was a want “Neither of us could live a hum-drum accomplishments necessary for one of ad-justment.” Ironically, Jawahar’s domestic life, accepting things as they who was to become a member of a clear cut disposition changed to were. There could either be complete house well known for its lavish ambiguity, later on, after Kamala’s understanding, a perfect union of hospitality and the wife of a... well death, when he expressed: “What was minds, or difficulties.” (Nehru, 1946: educated... young man.” (Kalhan, Kamala? Did I know her? Understand 44). 1973: 8). her real self? Did she know or However, Kamala Nehru, in due “The English governess of the understand me? For I too was an course, was to find it much easier to Nehru sisters was given an additional abnormal person with mystery and adapt to the changing nationalist charge, that of grooming Kamala.” unplumbed depths within me, which I de-mands. Used to a simple lifestyle, (Kalhan, 1973: 8). On one occasion, could not myself fathom. I had been, she had no difficulty in forsaking Motilal, in one of his attempts to and was, a most unsatisfactory person jewellery and taking to khadi (as “educate” Kamala, wrote to tp marry.” (Nehru, 1946: 44). Coupled opposed to her sisters-in-law). Jawaharlal: “As a necessary part of with the maladjustments of married life Ironically, the change of lifestyle of the treatment, I have cancelled the was the fact that Kamala was the Nehru household, from order about writing short extravagance to simplicity, de-scriptive essays or letters. brought about more Her headache was chiefly, if not understanding between Kamala en-tirely, due to the constant and . “The nag-ging to which I subjected change in their mode of life from her by insisting on her writing one of luxury to the simple and something.” (Kalhan, 1917: 127). austere, was to Kamala’s liking. The dividing line for The veneer of westernisation adjust-ments had yet to be chipped off the Nehru family and drawn. Adjustments were thalis and Indian food took the required with two place of cut glass and flowered contemporaries, Vijaylakshmi china. The change in their way of and Krishna, sisters of living also brought Kamala and Jawaharlal Nehru. The Jawahar closer together. differences with the latter were Unfortunately, it also brought mainly over their En-glish with it long spells of separation education and westernised because of Jawahar’s frequent living. KrishnaNehru writes: “At terms of im-prisonment.” (Kalhan, first Kamala was completely 1973: 19). Another factor that confused and uncomfortable in facilitated Kamala’s adjustment a place so different from her with the changing political home. The big dinners with scenario was her strong sense of crystal and china on the long individuality and independence. table and rows of wine glasses About his wife, Jawahar remarks: Krishna Nehru Hutheesingh

No.77 (July-August 1993) 17 “With her inordinate pride and thing. Those who think that we are rahi hoon.” (Swatantrata Sangram sensi-tiveness she did not want to afraid of going to jail are in fact ki Sainik). come to me to ask for help, although I themselves impeding work. Since lack of formal education of could have given her that help more “All summer have they been Kamala had become an issue and point than anyone else. She wanted to play sitting comfortably indoors, behind of difference with Vijaylakshmi and her own part in the national struggle khas chiks (sun blinds), under the cool Krishna, this directed Kamala’s and not be merely a hanger on and a breeze of a fan. They have not stirred con-sciousness towards persuading shadow of her husband.” (Nehru, out in the heat to work. On the other other women to educate themselves. 1946: 41). Krishna Nehru adds: “Living hand, we are being blamed for making In a letter she sentfrom London, she as she did, over-shadowed by strong up stories. I do not wish to write all stated: “We have degraded ourselves personalities like her husband’s and this because I am learning self- beyond limits. Women are even less father-in-law’s, she still made a place sacrifice. But I am unhappy that some enlightened than men due to lack of for herself in politics. She was people talk irresponsibly and they are educa-tion. When I think of the plight naturally overshadowed by Jawahar be-lieved. I do wish to be arrested and of my sisters, my heart bleeds for they to some extent, but not entirely so, sent to jail before you are released, are indifferent to the question of their for she had a personality of her own.” but I have scant hope of this own rights. Day by day I am getting (Hutheesingh, 1944: 117). happening. My dedication, with a little more and more determined that on my Thus, there were two sides to the luck, I hope to be rewarded with return home, I shall take my sisters picture. On the one hand, Kamala, imprison-ment.” (Kalhan, 1973: 27). along with me, I shall urge them to because of her traditional background, Two things come out clearly from place their trust in God and fight for felt like a misfit, but on the other hand, this letter. Firstly, she was a keen their own freedom, educate their the new demands of the political supporter of Jawahar’s activities. daughters so that they are not in movement (like simplicity) made her Kamala’s daughter, Indira, later was trouble like us.” (Kalhan, 1973: 34). feel more at ease with herself. That to testify to this fact. Indira said: “She Kamala served as president of the still leaves an important question [Kamala] was a very intense person, Allahabad district Congress and un-answered. What factors and whenever she took up anything, moved about the city to prepare precipitated Kamala’s involvement she felt very strongly about it. Firstly, people for the Civil Disobedience with politics? An opinion could be when my father came into the political movement. Jawaharlal was to formed from the letter that Kamala sent scene, there was a certain amount of comment later: “In this upheaval, to Jawahar: “Jawahar! I have your opposition from the family. They did Kamala had played a brave and letter. I was waiting for it. The days of not want him to go to that extent, to notable part and on her inexperienced your release are nearing. But I have submerge himself, and I think that was shoulders fell the task of organising little hope of your remaining free. If the time when my mother’s influence our work in the city of Allahabad perchance you are set free, you will counted and she supported him fully.” when every known worker was in be re-arrested. I do not worry about (Interview with on prison.” (Nehru, 1946:42). this because I am prepared for all No-vember 29, 1972: Kalhan, 1973; Kamala was actively involved in eventualities. There are many things 134). various nationalist activities. She I want to talk to you about but I do Secondly, it is quite apparent that helped in the breaking of the salt law not always get an oppor-tunity to do Kamala wanted to get away from the at Handia, a tehsil about 20 miles east so and things remain un-said in my critical comments and differences with of Allahabad. (The Leader, heart. The sort of things happening the joint family. And the only way out April9,1930, p. 11). A newspaper here require of you in fair-ness to be was through politics which, besides report added: “Over 10,000 people acquainted with both sides of the keeping her involved, would also collected to witness the inauguration picture. At the moment you know only as-sist her in a closer interaction with of the satyagraha campaign at what Ranjit and Swarup tell you. It is, Jawahar because, all said and done, Allahabad. Today’s volunteers were therefore, becoming difficult for me to she remained a strong traditionalist Mrs Jawaharlal Nehru, Miss Krishna work here. and a devoted wife to Jawahar Nehru, Mrs Motilal Nehru and Babu “I wish each day that somehow I throughout: “Mein apnepatike . While in and Uma Bhabi (Uma Nehru) should charan chinhon par chalte hue preparation, Mrs K. Nehru picked up be arrested. That would be a good apaar prasannta ka anubhav kar fuel, put it into the furnace and lighted

18 MANUSHI a fire.” (The Leader, 1930: April give up his practice but had to 12, p. 10). discourage his British cli-ents She also picketed foreign from visiting Anand Bhawan. cloth shops and liquor shops. Krishna Nehru narrates: “By It was said: “48 volunteers were chance I happened to be in a there including 15 from the first room when the final batch of volunteers. They kept confron-tation between walking in front of the cloth Gandhiji and my father took shops, looking for people place. In a reasonable tone, my buying. Mrs Kamala Nehru father said: ‘You have taken my caught sight of a Muslim son but I have a great law gentleman purchasing foreign practice in the British courts. cloth. He was so impressed If you will permit me to with her reasons that there and continue it, I will pour great then he set fire to the cloth.” sums of the money I make into (The Leader, May 1, 1930, p.ll). your movement. Your cause For KamalaNehru, the will prof it far more than if I transition from simple give it up to follow you’. ‘No’, traditional living to a Gandhiji said. ‘No. I don’t want ‘westernised’ joint family set up money. I want you — and caused her anxiety and stress, every mem-ber of your family’.’ so much so that politics was .(Hutheesingh, 1967:34). The seen by her as a way out of this. small problems, minor However, as explained earlier, altercations and conflicts that she was well equipped with the arose, had more of an economic political prerequisites of the basis to it. The confusion and early nationalist period, for dilemmas were yet to arise Jawaharlal, Kamala and Indira example, nationalist stress on when the question of austere living, stress on ver-nacular sent for me one day and having understanding the Gandhian as opposed to English education, and explained the situation, told me that I movement arose. Who was Gandhi? boycott of everything foreign. must leave school. The idea of giving What did he want? And what was ‘our’ For the Nehru household, it up made me unhappy for a while, contribution? Of the two sisters, it particularly Vijaylakshmi and Krishna, though I realised that was the only seems that Krishna faced more it was a trying period. Not only did right thing to do.”(Hutheesingh, 1944: dilemmas coupled with insecurities they have to give up their 21). than Vijaylakshmi. The only reason I ‘westernised’ life and resort to simpler Their day to day existence also can think of that might ex-plain this is things; the nationalist movementand changed from one of splendour to a that Krishna was the youngest in the its needs and demands completely simple one. “The first thing father did family and was isolated once her transformed their lives. The daughters was to sell his horses and carriages. father and brother joined politics and who, till now, were used to an English Then we had to dismiss quite a few of Vijaylakshmi got married in 1921. education and an English governess, the army of servants we had and Krishna writes about her first had to give that up. As Krishna Nehru curtail expenses in every direction. reaction to Gandhi: “Is this the man writes: “One of the items of the Father sold most of mother’s jewels who is changing all our lives?” “Is movement was the boycott of British with her consent and bhai sold this insignificant person going to schools. I had been so absorbed with Kamala’s.” (Hutheesingh, 1967: 48). make every-body go to prison and my studies and my own little world “From that time forth, we all wore overthrow the British?” “One thing I that I had hardly noticed the incoming khadi...” (Hutheesingh, 1967:48). understood even at that age. To follow storm or the changes that were taking The changes must have been the Gandhi’s idealistic way meant giving place around me in my own home. So most trying for the head of the family, up all the pleasant thingsof life.” it came as rather a blow when father Motilal Nehru, who not only had to (Hutheesingh, 1967:34). From

No.77 (July-August 1993) 19 Krishna’s reactions it seems that her primary motivation for joining the nationalist movement was toexperiencesomething’new’, something to change the monotony of day to day existence. “Something new happened everyday to change my once dull and monotonous life of strict routine into an ever changing and exciting day, never knowing what was going to happen next.” Otherwise, she was finding it very difficult, at every step, to change in accordance with the new demands. “I did not enjoy the changes satyagraha made in my life, though I accepted Anand Bhawan, the Nehrus’ famous house, which has been given to the them with growing ardor.” nation and is now called Swaraj Bhawan (Hutheesingh, 1967: 49). “At first I resented having to wear the coarse, The situation was more suspend his practice. Practice at the handspun, handwoven khadi, but complicated for Vijaylakshmi Pandit, bar was not easy to suspend and after a while it seemed the common who had to resolve not only her would also mean lossof prestige. The sense thing to do. Somehow, the new individual dilemmas but had also to conflict continued for some weeks mode of life, with its austerities, cast come around to the viewpoint of her but, finally, the call of Gandh iji could a spell on us.” (Hutheesingh, 1969:40). husband, Ranjit. Vijaylakshmi’s initial not be denied.” (Pandit, 1979: 79). Though Krishna Nehru confrontation with Gandhi was on the Vijaylakshmi herself initially did participated in the movement, she did issue of ‘chastity’. She describes her not understand the significance and not have very strong political experi-ence with Gandhi when, after symbolism of bonfires and boycotts. convictions. Coupled with marriage, they went to take his “Great bonfires of British cloth had experiencing something ‘new’, blessing. Talking about Gandhi, she taken place in every town in India. Krishna could not resist the general says: “Then he looked very grave and This was a great shock to me. I did enthusiasm generated by the began to talk of our duty to the not understand the symbolism, and it resistance. The final straw was the country at this time — the strength seemed wicked that mountains of death of Motilal, which pushed Ka- required could only come from purity clothing should be publicly burned mala into the movement. “My of the highest order. Chastity in when all around one there was enthu-siasm for satyagraha was but a married life was difficult, he knew, but nakedness.” pale reflection of the tide of emotion so was the great struggle for freedom The uncertainty of life, traumas of that was sweeping India.” upon which we had entered and which palling while serving sentences of life (Hutheesingh, 1967:50). “After father’s death I threw myself into the demanded every sacrifice. Suddenly, imprisonment, took a toll. Though movement recklessly. Something vital the Nehru spirit asserted itself. I Vijaylakshmi participated in the had gone and for the time being looked at Bapu and said halt-ingly: na-tionalist movement and also later nothing seemed to matter.” ‘Why did you give your per-mission served as ambassador to the United (Hutheesingh, 1963: 12). to our marriage if you thought it was States, she could not reconcile to the Krishna Nehru, along with other wrong for us to live together as upheavals that the nationalist Nehru women, participated in husband and wife’? There was no move-ment brought in herpersonal boycotts, foreign cloth bonfires and re-sponse.” (Pandit, 1979: 73). life. Even before her husband died, picketing. “I was secretary of the The emerging problem now was Vijaylakshmi wrote of him: “Ranjit is Youth League and had the honour of how to respond to the call of Gandhi not meant for the rough and tumble being the first to be arrested on the to participate. Vijaylakshmi writes: of Indian politics. With his wealth and distaff side of our family.” “The problem was whether Ranjit learning and fastidious scholarship, (Hutheesingh, 1969: 55). should respond to Gandhij i’ s call and his love of art and all of those finer

20 MANUSHI aspects of life ... prison life is breaking eight-thirteen years old) formed the Thus, before any concrete him down physically. It is a slow daily ‘vanar sena’ (monkey brigade) and statements arc made about women’s sacrifice which can be so much more took out processions. It is said that na-tionalist activities, one should deadly than some big heroic gesture on the arrest of Purushottam Das analyse the process through which made in the moment of emotional Tandon, “Little children under the they passed, whether it was resolving upheaval.” (Hutheesingh, 1967: 169). leadership of Miss Indu Nehru and personal con-flicts or understanding Of the third generation, one knows Miss Chand Pandit took out a what the na-tional movement stood the least, but the picture that comes procession.” (The Leader, 1930, June for. through is one of alarming clarity and 27, p.6). From this brief mention of the third perception. The third generation did Bibliography not experience any major upheavals generation, attention can be focused in their day to day existence as did on two points. Firstly, from the third Andrews, Robert Hardy (1967), A Lamp the other two. Primarily, this was generation, Indira deserves special for India: The Story ofMadame Pandit, because they were born into politics, attention, as one who continued Baker,Britain. working for the nation and, secondly, heard and thought of politics at early Hutheesingh, Krishna Nehru (1944), With within the third generation, political stages of their lives. Krishna No Regrets: , Pearl, inclinations and commitments varied Hutheesingh had two sons, Ajit and Bombay. from individual to individual — child Harsha, whose involvement in politics Hutheesingh, Krishna Nehru (1963), has not come into the limelight. to child. Conclusion Nehru’s Letters to His Sister, Faber, Vijaylakshmi Pandit had three London. daughters: Chandralekha (Chand), The nationalist movement period was very stressful for the Nehru Hutheesingh, Krishna Nehru (1967), We Rita and Nayantara (Tara). Of the Nehrus, Pearl, Bombay. three, Lekha was quite active in the household. Unlike the suggestions in Hutheesingh, Krishna Nehru (1969), Dear nationalist movement initially, but historical tracts, the Nehru women did not take to nationalist activities to Behold: An Intimate Portrait there is no evidence of her political ‘natu-rally’. It was a period of great ofIndiraGandhi,Macmillan, London, activities (like her mother’s) later on. transition and upheaval in their 1969. Amongst all the cousins, Indira, personal lives. While, for women like Kalhan, Promilla (1973), An Intimate Bi- daughter of KamalaNehru, maintained Krishna and Vijaylakshmi, it was an ography: Kamala Nehru, Vikas, Delhi. a steady momentum and inclination adjustment from a ‘westernised’ Nehru, Jawaharlal (1946), The Discovery towards politics. It has been said for lifestyle to an ‘austere’ way of life, for of India, Signet, Calcutta. Indu: “From the time she was three or women like Kamala politics was a way Nehru, Rameshwari (1950), Gandhi is My four, she heard nothing but talk of out from the ‘westernised’ joint family Star, Pustaka Bhandar, Patna. politics. Instead of playing childish to participation in activities with games, she would line up servants and Pandit, Vijaylakshmi (1979), The Scope which she was more comfortable, and of Happiness: A Personal Memoir, make political speeches to them.” that also gave her a way to be more Vikas, Delhi. (Hutheesingh, 1967: 54). “The close to her husband, Jawahar. atmosphere of politics that pervaded our home put unusual ideas into Indira’s head. She put Congress flags of paper into the hands of dolls and then lectured the assemblage... Calling upon her satyagrahis to march and keep the Congress flag flying, she asked them not to fear the might of the govern-ment...” (Hutheesingh, 1969). When she was eight years old, she is sup-posed to have said: “I am going to lead my people to freedom just as Joan of Arc.” (ibid: 55). In the nationalist movement, the third generation (when they were

No.77 (July-August 1993) 21 Rape After

One detail sticks in my mind from the New York Times article titled “Rape After Rape After Rape” A young woman has been interned along with hundreds of other women, children, and old men in a Croatian town. One day it is her turn in the crowded room where they all stay to be pulled to the middle by Serbian soldiers and raped, while the others look on. She casts a glance at her baby who sits nearby on the floor during the rape and cries loudly. When the rape is over, a soldier compared to my colleagues’. goes to the child, cuts off its head, I’m picturing and hands it to the mother. the application form, black instructions, I am thinking about white spaces, boxes, the computer I plan to apply for I’m imagining with funds newly made available the new, odourless keyboard by the university, despite the present I want to get my hands on, the clean plastic budget crunch, ft will have a built-in case, hard disk, and if they let me keep the old one, the everyday, fabulous power I can have a system at home too. of circuitry I don’t need to understand Will the funds allow for to use, the swish and hum of my printer, a new printer? I’m framing the request the almost friendly bing of the bell in my mind: my research, how sad it is when the box goes on. that my computer is so small and old Threading through these images like flickers of a poor film or almost unremembered dream are others— dirty white wooden floorboards, metal beds, shadowy female figures, someone with a large chest and unkempt uniform, a baby’s head on ivory-white computer keys.

Linda Hess

22 MANUSHI