September 16, 1961 THE ECONOMIC WEEKLY

Letter from Suba Agitation Fails to Enthuse People

GEORGE ORWELL was once ately after the death of Maharaja all right why not Devnagri? In obliged to shoot an elephant is being re-enacted, any case, the can continue just to avoid looking a fool. And with different means but identical using . Master was obliged to purposes. But, unfortunately, it is a question undertake his fast just to avoid The only result of Master Tara neither of language nor of its script, looking a coward. There is some Singh's fast has been to convince the but of politics. Master Tara Singh substance in the view that this was people of his fortitude. He has un­ has often declared that he is not the main reason which impelled him doubtedly suffered a great deal. But interested in the , to take the drastic step. He had no to what purpose? it is not much but in a Sikh majority area, only choice but to honour his rash and of a paradox to say that while the to come out with a contradiction ill-timed and, unfortunately, much- Arya Samaj opposes the Subu soon after. A well-known colum­ advertised commitment. directly the Master does so in­ nist once asked Master Tara Singh Incapable, by nature, of any pro­ directly; unwittingly though, but whether his stand on a particular issue longed consistency on matters of definitely. For, his intentions be­ was final. "Yes" the Sikh leader principle, Master Tara Singh has, come automatically suspect and the replied, "until I change my mind". nevertheless, always displayed an greater the vehemence with which As if to prove this, Master Tara uncanny ability to wriggle out of he puts his case, the greater is the Singh has been making rather untenable position and still retain determination with which it is quaint suggestions regarding arbit­ his following. For long accustomed, opposed. If the Suba is to come in­ ration. Of these the most bizzare like the Duke of Plaza Toro, to to being at any time, a secular or­ was the one to refer the problem to leading this regiment from behind"', ganisation popular enough to draw the U N or to a former British he had, till recently, played his its following from all sections of Governor of Punjab. Not that he cards eminently well. For rarely did the people and not a communal- seriously meant that Sikhs were an he permit himself to be pushed in­ sectarian body like the Akalis is alien minority in the country. Most to a shadow. But Sam Fateh needed. likely he did not even think of the Singh's fast changed all this and Language — a Mere Pretext implications. For immediately after rendered Master Tara Singh's posi­ making the suggestion he issued the tion among the Akalis untenable. To It is obvious enough that langu­ clarification that the suggestion was avoid dying politically, he had to age is a mere pretext — on both merely 'academic'. His subsequent risk dying physically! For, how­ sides. If the issue had been purely gyrations on the arbitration issue, ever much the Sant might deny it, linguistic, it would have been solved as also the statement that he would he had eclipsed the Master — some­ long ago. The obvious starting not take even a one per cent risk thing that no other Akali leader had point would be for both the com­ in respect of arbitration are amaz­ succeeded in doing for any length munities to rise above petty consi­ ing, to say the least. While he him­ of time. Too jealous of his posi­ derations and show a spirit of give self does not want to take the slight­ tion Master Tara Singh would not and take, While Punjabi Hindus est chance, he wants the govern­ have been himself if he had not can begin to own Punjabi as their ment to assure him that it will risked everything to out-Sant the language, the Sikhs can agree on accept the award of the arbitrators Sant. their fast to the (optional) use of if it went in his favour. Devnagri as an alternative script Political Blunders for Punjabi. General Indifference Although there was perhaps no Such statements are not likely to other way to regain his lost prestige It is often argued that Gurmukhi have enhanced his reputation for among the Akalis the timing of script is the only script suitable for balanced judgment. What precisely his fast could not have been more Punjabi, since in this script alone he wants, in addition to getting his ill-advised. His Suba agitation had can certain peculiar Punjabi sounds prestige restored among the Akalis petered out. If the attainment of be conveyed. If this is so all the is not clear. His latest claim that 90 the Suba, and not his own political more reason why the Sikhs should per cent of the Punjabi people sup­ rehabilitation, had been his primary consent to the use of Devnagri. If it is port his demand is at least 90 per aim, he should have gone on his not suitable for the Punjabi langu­ cent delusion. fast much earlier, when the 'tempo1 age it will automatically fall into of his movement was at a higher disuse. As to the argument that Pun­ No one knows what will hap­ pitch — accepting that fasting as jabi language will suffer changes, pen if the current fasting tour­ a political weapon in contemporary if Devnagri is adopted, it may be nament runs its full course (And by India can be Justified. Both the pointed out that only the dead the time this appears in print, it decision to go on fast and the tim­ languages do not change. Some of might have done so). But one ing of the fast were major political the classics of Punjabi literature might hazard a guess that whatever blunders. But his extremist followers were done in Persian script, A serious consequences it may have in gradually but definitely succeeded in promint contemporary Punjabi poet the long run on the relations bet­ pushing him into a cul-de-sac. In writes all his verses originally in the ween the two communities, hardly this play of petty political ambitions Persian script and then renders them any violent reaction might be feared the drama of Sikh politics immedi- into Gurmukhi script. If Persian is in the near future. 1462