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Around 1937, P.P.Shri Guruji returned to Nagpur from the “Aashrama” of Swami
Akhandananda, and he came into very close contact with P.P.Doctorjee and
Sangha work. In those days, Sangha was growing extremely rapidly, even in
provinces and locations far away from Nagpur. 1937 was also a heady year for
the Indian National Congress. They had won the provincial elections, and
formed ministries (though all authority still vested with the British
regime).
In its first-ever provincial conference at Nagpur, the congress’s published
agenda had Sangha as one of the principal subjects for debate. The Congress
secretary wrote a letter to P.P.Doctorjee, demanding a statement about the
objectives and policies as well as ‘modus operandi’ of Sangha. P.P.Doctorjee
showed this letter to P.P.Shri Guruji. At once, P.P.Guruji said:
“P.P.Doctorjee, I don’t think that this letter is a straight forward request
for information. It is too arrogant. Perhaps the electoral success has gone
to their head. Let us send them a befitting reply.“ P.P.Doctorjee was very
pleased to see this searching analysis.
P.P.Doctorjee stated in his response: “Sangha work has proceeded uniformly in
the same manner for the past 12 years, since its inception. We have explained
the Sangha objectives, policies and methods of working many, many times in
public meetings. You must have read the extensive coverage in the news media,
particularly since you live in Nagpur city. We do not have anything more to
say today, in comparison to what we have said about Sangha time-and-again in
the past.
The Congress secretary’s reply to P.P.Doctorjee was the “proof-positive” of
his attitude. The letter said: “Your response to our letter is slippery and
escapist. You have not responded to us on the following points – (after this,
there was a long list of questions).”
P.P.Doctorjee wrote back: “You have called my response “Slippery and
escapist”. By God’s grace, we do not have any words in our vocabulary that
can stoop to such a low level. It is advisable that you should use a bit more
civilized language when you write to us. Also, please note that we are
well-past the “student stage”, where in we might have answered the exam-paper
style questions in your letter.
However, I wish to say this much about the relationship between Sangha and
the Congress. For the sake of welfare of the nation both institutions should
cooperate with each other, and work together with a hearty friendship.”
With this, the letters stopped. It was to be expected that copies of this
correspondence would be placed in Congress sessions for further discussion.
However, when the Central Provinces Congress President Mr. Jamna Lal Bajaj
reviewed it, he realized the arrogant folly of his party’s position. He was a
man of great political savvy; he could easily foresee that the Congress
attitude, particularly in the use of words like “escapist” would show up as
entirely coercive, abusive and foolish. If it ever were to be made public,
the entire correspondence would boomerang against his own party colleagues.
There was even the ever-present jeopardy that he himself might face a “No
Confidence Motion” and abrupt dismissal from his presidentship. To avoid all
risks, Mr. Bajaj promptly and prudently deleted the entire subject of
discussion on Sangha from his agenda; even though its earlier versions,
published in the Newspapers, had emphasized that Sangha was the principle
topic of ensuing discussion.
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