Dear Maniji,
I read your letter to Atalji. Contrary to what some closed-minded Indians whom I spoke to feel, I don’t think it is entirely worthless. It does give some very important lessons in having an open mind. I say an ‘open mind’ because, we need to read it from your lens. From your perspective.
You rightly mentioned that your letter may not penetrate into Atalji’s mind as he is very ill. Chances are, even if you were to read this letter, it may still not penetrate into your mind. Because you have an open mind that challenges so many beliefs. So many times.
I can see that you are a man of principles. In your letter, I read the paean on non-violence, your unconditional praise of Mahatma Gandhi, your conditional praise of Atalji, the importance of resolving things in a peaceful manner. You tried to assault Samajwadi Party member, Naresh Agarwal in Rajya Sabha in August 2013. I can see that you have an open mind that challenges your own principles. Every now and then.
In your letter you mentioned that the last week has been the worst since Independence. Some closed-minded Indians think that the worst period was the imposition of Emergency in 1975. No, they are all wrong. These closed-minded fellows, they should know that your open mind is celebrating the Ruby Anniversary of Emergency. Yours is an open mind. A mind split wide open.
In your letter, you wrote about Atalji’s advice on Raj Dharma. You wrote about the emotional integration of minorities. With an open mind, you decided to start a career with a party that instigated the 1984 Sikh Riots. You decided to start a career with a party that reversed the Supreme Court judgement in the Shah Bano case under pressure. Under pressure from Islamic orthodoxy.
In 1993, your open mind wrote that the Kashmiri Pandits left the Valley because ‘they were corralled and herded out like cattle by the cowboy Governor of the day’. The Kashmiri separatists are of course, an invisible force. To your open mind.
When Afzal Guru attacked our Parliament, some closed-minded Indians called it an attack on our Democracy. You being the Hon. Member of Parliament, are sworn to the Constitution. A Constitution that grants the right of free speech. Your open mind spoke against the hanging of Afzal Guru.
I should warn you of these closed-minded Indians. These people, they are cracking jokes on you. Let me tell you one. It goes like this: What oath would Mani Shankar Aiyar take if he would have been a doctor? And they say it would be the Hypocritic Oath.
But never mind. You should continue to have an open mind. India is a Democracy that grants the right to freedom of speech. Democracy, you see, is alive. Alive and kicking. 🙂
Yours With An Open Mind,
Madhur Vaidya
