Puri refused to back down, ‘If she’s sixteen, then what education can she have had? How can I marry someone like her? The girl should have some idea of what she’s getting into …’
‘You want a girl who has a BA degree? Will the girl who is BA produce babies that are already educated?’ Ramjwaya’s anger boiled over.
Masterji lowered his head. Bhagwanti turned her back towards the conversation and motioned Usha to leave the room. In the kitchen, Tara too hung her head.
Ramjwaya looked at Masterji and said, ‘If he doesn’t agree, why should I break my back? But then it’s your problem. I’m doing all this so that you get something to marry off his sister. So that you get some reward for working hard all your life. Lala Sukhlal is sure to ask for an early marriage. It’s been eight or nine months since that business with his son. If the government wanted to take action, it would have done so by now. All right, I’m leaving. Everyone holds their fate in their own hands. I hope I don’t get my fingers burned trying to help you all.’
As Ramjwaya got up, Masterji too rose to his feet to escort his brother to Uchchi Gali, but Jaidev told him, ‘Its cold outside. I’ll go with Tayaji and see him home.’
When Tara saw her brother hold his own against the tirades and scoldings of Babu Ramjwaya, her faith in her brother and also in her own self-confidence grew stronger. Next day she told him in English while their mother served him his meal, ‘Asad bhai suggested that I try for the scholarship. His suggestion was that if you spoke with Professor Nath about giving me some guidance, I could go to see him at his office in the university.’
Puri said, ‘It’s a good idea, but you should have thought about it sooner. It wouldn’t have been difficult for you. If I ask the professor, he won’t say no to me, but you don’t even have two months’ time left. One should begin six months in advance. Some even take help from tutors. How would you manage now?’
‘Bhai said that he could give me some time each day until the examinations.’
‘Who, Asad? He charges for tutoring. Sixty rupees, I heard.’
‘Not from me. He himself offered to help.’
‘Why? Does he want to recruit you? These communists can use any ploy.’
‘He can’t force me. It’s a matter of one’s wish and belief too.’
‘You must be half way to party membership by now. They probably already regard you a fellow-traveller.’ Puri taunted and then asked, ‘Where will he tutor you, here?’
‘It’ll be better at the college library. I could go there in the afternoons. It will be preparatory leave in a few days’ time; then we’ll see what time is convenient.’
‘What objection can I have, but the time is short. You may try. I will ask Kali for the textbooks by Marshal and others. If you want I can speak with the professor even today.’
Tara poured her heart and soul into her studies. Asad began to teach her economics for about an hour in the veranda of the library. Tara’s classmate Bal Mukund saw them, and asked Asad’s permission to join in. Bal Mukund was very poor. He was supporting himself by tutoring work. He was good at his studies, but seldom got enough time to study. Asad could not refuse him.
One day Bal Mukund could not come. That day Tara and Asad talked mostly about things other than economics. Tara said, ‘Your tutoring me has done some good for Bal Mukund too.’
‘It’s good for me too,’ said Asad. ‘When he’s present, we can’t wander off.’
‘Yes, we work hard when he’s here. See, we hardly studied today!’ She laughed shyly.
‘You mean we won’t study every time he’s not here? I’m not that lenient, and you too are not so naïve. Once in a while is a different matter. Achcha, let’s begin.’
‘You’re different. A man and a communist at that; no wonder you are as hard as a rock.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, out of sight, out of mind. When I’m home and I think of you, I can hardly concentrate.’
‘Sure, I’m not human, you suppose. What do I have that you can think about or like in me? Some refer to me in jest as the Moor, and to you as Desdemona.’
‘Really!’ Tara’s face flushed. ‘Who says that?’
‘Some smart alecks such as Zubeida, Narendra Sigh, Mahajan.’
‘Hai, and we don’t even go out together like bhai and Kanak.’
‘People can be jealous.’
‘Who’s jealous? Surendra?’
‘No, not her. She’s the understanding type. Others like Khanna, Hira Singh. Try not to avoid them.’
‘I don’t avoid them, I just keep to myself. Otherwise, you know …’
‘Listen, about being together, I think that after passing my law exam I should go to Gurdaspur and work as an apprentice. Once I have some money, I want to start building a nest for us. You need a nest if you want to get married. Birds do the same thing. I don’t want to wait very long.’
Tara looked into his eyes and gave her silent approval.
‘Have you ever sounded Puri on this matter?’ Asad asked.
‘Not yet,’ Tara said after a few moments. ‘But bhai is the intellectual type, he dislikes anything sectarian. If the situation with Kanak pans out, our problem will be solved.’
PURI WAS ROUSED GENTLY FROM THE DELICIOUS LANGUOR OF HIS MORNING
sleep. The sweet strains of Khushal Singh singing the morning chant wafted through the window. Just then Masterji, on the charpoy next to him, began to sing his morning prayer in a harsh shrill voice which interrupted the flow of melody from across the gali. Puri tried to ignore Masterji’s bhajan and concentrate on Khushal Singh’s song, waiting for it to end before getting up.
‘Sir Khizr’s resignation accepted! The governor assumes control of the government!’
The loud cry of the newspaper vendor pierced the morning quiet. That week Puri had been working on the day shift and had no way of knowing about the events of the night. He sprang from his bed and went down to the gali.
Doctor Prabhu Dayal subscribed to
Pairokaar
. Govindram bought either the Hindi daily
Chhatrapati
or
Pratap
. The newspaper vendor had wedged the newspaper in the door to the doctor’s house. Puri removed the paper. The news came as a shock to everyone.
It read: At 10’o clock last night, Sir Khizr, chief minister of Punjab and leader of the Unionist Party, resigned from his post. The governor has accepted his resignation, and has taken over the powers of administration. All the ordinances promulgated by the Unionist ministry would remain in force.
Puri went to the bazaar and bought a copy of the Muslim daily
Siasat
. It had a different version of the news: Sir Khizr recognizes the claim of the League! Speculations about the identity of the members of the League ministry led by the Khan of Mamdote abound. The enemies of Pakistan suffer defeat. The way is cleared for a League ministry!
Hearing the commotion in the gali, the doctor came downstairs with sleep-laden eyes. He had to believe the news after reading it. He was furious, ‘So Khizr finally succumbed to the League’s pressure tactics. He has cleared the way for the League. All the policemen are Muslims. How mercilessly they beat the Congress volunteers in their demonstrations and just make a pretence of beating up the League volunteers.’
Masterji too had come down. He said, ‘Whether they’re Unionists or from the League, they’re all Muslims and in cahoots with each other.’
Govindram was very upset by the news. ‘Now the mullahs will rule, with no holds barred,’ he said. ‘We can forget about justice and fair play. The Muslim ministers did what they wanted during the Unionist ministry anyway.’
Puri suggested, ‘The governor would rather let the turmoil continue. But it’s unlikely that he’ll yield to the demand for Pakistan. The ordinances banning the League demonstrations are still in force. Khizr at least was concerned about his ministry’s image.’
Govindram said vociferously, ‘Spare us all this glib journalistic talk. I’m telling you what I see. One could expect justice and fair treatment in the war years. Since the governor handed over the administration to the ministers last year, the government jobs have all gone only to Muslims and those from the caste of Jats.’
Since Puri was on day-shift, he walked with Tara up to Shahalami Gate. Tara’s college was closed, preparatory to the examinations, but she was going to study at the library. After passing Shahalami Gate, Puri meant to go through Chardewari garden to Anarkali, and Tara was going on Nisbet Road.
Tara and Puri had not yet crossed Shahalami Gate when they heard the distant roar of slogans being shouted. As they crossed Shahalami Gate, a huge Muslim League procession carrying hundreds of green flags came along Railway Road towards the Lohari Gate. Early March mornings in Lahore retain some traces of cold. But the faces of the marchers were flushed with excitement and shone with sweat from the strain of shouting. Their slogans had a different tone: ‘The news is out, Khizr is our brother! Allah-u-Akbar! Muslim League zindabad! Pakistan or Death! We want a League ministry! Long live Quaid-e-Azam! Don’t forget the Bihar massacre!’
It was not possible to cross Railway Road because of the procession. Inside Shahalami Gate a crowd of tongas, bicycles and pedestrians had jammed the bazaar, waiting to go towards Gwal Mandi, Medical College, Nisbet Road and Mall Road. The congestion was growing quickly.
As in the past, the marchers did not chant, ‘Down with imperialism! Down with the British government! Long live democracy! Hindu–Muslims unite! Down with Khizr! Toady Khizr hai-hai!’ Instead, they cheered the Unionist leader, ‘Khizr zindabad!’ and ‘Khizr is with us!’ In place of their
usual inclination to fight oppression and court arrest, they seemed defiant and ready for a showdown. Their manner did not invite sympathy for their cause, but held a menacing tone.
Puri did not follow his usual route, but stayed close to Tara. He said, ‘It looks like trouble out there. Better if you go back.’
Tara said in desperation, ‘I must go to the college library and take notes from the textbook by Smith. There’s hardly any time left before the examinations.’
After the procession had gone past, Puri said, ‘Take a tonga. See how the situation looks when you return home. Ask someone to escort you, or hire a tonga again.’ He took out some coins and gave them to Tara.
Puri followed the marchers through Anarkali bazaar up to Ganapat Road. His office was buzzing with guesses of what might happen next. Puri began to read through the sheets fresh off the teleprinter. He picked up the statement by Sir Khizr about his resignation and was about to read it, when he heard Narendra Singh call through the open door, ‘So, Puri bhai, what’s going on?’
Puri looked up and said, ‘Come in.’
Singh asked, ‘Any new development?’
‘Yes, Khizr’s statement about his resignation,’ Puri said as he read the news. He explained to Singh, ‘Khizr says that according to Clement Atlee’s proclamation of 16 February, whichever political party holds the majority in a particular region of India in June 1948, the British government will hand over the administration to that party. Therefore an opportunity should be given to form new ministries.’
‘Why, doesn’t Khizr want his Unionist Party to rule?’ Singh seemed unconvinced, ‘Is he dissolving the Unionist Party?’
‘The statement was issued by Governor Jenkins, not by Khizr. It simply means that now there will be an opportunity and a provocation for a free-for-all among the parties,’ Puri said. ‘Khizr submitted his resignation at ten o’clock last night. The newspaper is put to bed around two or three in the morning. In the period in between, the governor had enough time to consult Delhi, accept the resignation, and get the statement published in the official gazette? Obviously, everything had been planned.’
‘Listen,’ Singh said in English, biting the nail of his index finger thoughtfully, ‘you know that Khizr asks Dr Radhey Behari’s advice in every matter. He must have discussed his resignation with his Cabinet. The
Congress has only two ministers in the Cabinet. What did they have to say? Will the Congress collaborate if the League forms the new ministry?’
The teleprinter again came to life. Puri and Singh bent over the printer and began to read to the news as it was typed out: ‘The governor has invited the Khan of Mamdote, leader of the Muslim League and of the majority party in the assembly, to form the new ministry. The new ministry has to be in place before the Budget session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly, scheduled for 3 March, begins.’
‘That’s right!’ Singh said, ‘Unless there is a council of ministers responsible for the administration, how can the working of the Assembly go ahead?’
The printer typed another line of news: The Khan of Mamdote is expected to announce the names of his new ministers at the Assembly session.
Kashish and Banarasidas had not yet arrived. Puri went to another room and called Dr Radhey Behari’s number to learn of any new developments. When he came back he said to Singh, ‘Khizr didn’t talk to any of his ministers before submitting his resignation. Dr Saheb has gone to Sikh Missionary College to seek Master Tara Singh’s advice. From there he’ll go directly to the Assembly House.’
Indranath and Bhagat Ram came in. An animated discussion began: What now? Will the ministry have only Muslims in it? Puri looked at his watch and said to Singh, ‘It’s already eleven. The Assembly session should be beginning about now. Stay around if you want, or go and see Fiqar, to sound him out on what they’re thinking in League circles. Will there be any Hindu or Sikh members in the new Cabinet?’
Singh left, but Indranath, Bhagat Ram and Puri could not go back to work in the newsroom. What would happen next was anyone’s guess.
The telephone rang around 12.30. Indranath answered and told the rest: The Khan of Mamdote has not yet been able to submit the names of his ministers to the governor. Therefore, the governor was not willing to hand over the administration to the leader of the Muslim League. The Assembly session had been postponed for the day. Members of the League and other parties were holding meetings in their chambers. Master Tara Singh and a few other prominent leaders had been invited to some of these meetings. The press had not been allowed in, but from the noises heard outside it seemed that both sides were having heated discussions. One guess was that the Opposition considered Khizr’s resignation to be unconstitutional, and
had decided not to allow a League ministry in any circumstance. The League was bent upon forming the ministry and taking over the administration. Large crowds of League supporters had gathered in front of the Assembly, and were chanting slogans in support of the League’s ministry and the formation of Pakistan. A contingent of armed police had surrounded the Assembly building.
Puri quickly prepared a news report at the suggestion of Bhagat Ram. The headline ran: First failure of the sectarian ministry! The essence of the story was: Would the ministry formed by one sectarian party be practical and acceptable to the people? Could such a ministry alone restore peace and order?
Bhagat Ram suggested that the editor might want to publish a supplementary edition on the basis of this news and other developments being filed from the Assembly. Puri went to see the editor.
Kashish put the lighted cigarette he was holding on the glass top of his desk and read the story carefully. He took off his glasses, rubbed his eyes and said in English, ‘Good idea. It calls for a supplementary. There’ll be more sensational news around 2.30. It’d be big news if the Cabinet is formed, and also if it’s not formed. It’s a matter for a supplementary. Ask Babu Banarasidas if there are any standing advertisements for supplementaries.’
‘Today is his day off.’ Puri reminded the editor.
‘Oh goodness!’ Kashish slammed in his fist on the desk, ‘Gulab Singh must be there in the advertising section. You too can consult the file of National Publicity, and telephone them for advertisements of Bhalla Shoe, Karnal Shoe, Kanha Chand, Khem Singh Hosiery. You all should learn how to do this. The supplementary can’t go to press unless there are advertisements worth at least two or three hundred rupees. Go, hurry up! Make haste!’
Banarasidas kept Puri away from the secrets of the advertisers’ file. In his absence, Puri, Gulab Singh and Indranath began to check the file and telephone to arrange advertisements for the supplementary.
The
Pairokaar
correspondent Mahesh called again at 2 o’clock with further news: Master Tara Singh pulled out his sword on the steps of the Assembly house in front of the supporters of the Muslim League. When Master Tara Singh came out of the building along with the members of the Congress Party, the Akali Dal and the Hindu Mahasabha, the thousands-strong crowd of Muslim League supporters rent the air with calls of: ‘Nara-e-Haideri … Ya Ali! Pakistan zindabad! Muslim League zindabad!
Pakistan or Death! We will spill blood for Pakistan! The League will form the ministry!’
Master Tara Singh and other Hindu–Sikh members faced the crowd. Master Tara Singh gave the Sikh war cry in a thundering voice: ‘
Jo bole so nihaal, sat siri akaal!
’, ‘Death to Pakistan!’
The crowd of Muslims responded with a deafening roar of slogans and surged forward threateningly. Master Tara Singh pulled out his sword and challenged the crowd: ‘Any of you, who has the guts come forward! Let’s settle it here and now!’
Armed police intervened and kept the two sides away from each other.
In a joint statement, the Congress, the Akali Dal and the Hindu Mahasabha had unanimously declared that the dismissal of the Unionist ministry by the governor was unconstitutional. Therefore, they would not allow a League ministry in any circumstances.
Bhagat Ram went to Kashish with the news.
‘Good, we must have a supplementary,’ Kashish gave the order.
Only half a page of advertisements could be arranged. Kashish was not happy. He lectured Puri, Bhagat Ram and Indranath, ‘Advertisements are the fuel of the ship of journalism.’ So that the
Pairokaar
supplementary would not lag behind other rival papers
Chhatrapati, Siasat, Pratap
and
Zamindaar
, he ordered the printing to begin.
The
Pairokaar
supplementary carried a notice from the president of the District Congress Committee: Sir Khizr Hayat Khan’s resignation and his renunciation of the power of administration had resulted in an ominous and dangerous situation. The public was asked to come to a meeting on the grounds of the Bharat Insurance Building at 6 p.m., and participate in a discussion on the national implications of the situation.
Puri could manage to reach the meeting only by half past six. A sizeable crowd had gathered. Comrade Kapoor, the president of the District Congress Committee, was addressing the gathering from the dais: ‘Ladies and gentlemen, keeping the purpose of the meeting in mind, may I ask you to express your views on the situation created by the resignation of the Unionist ministry, and on what our responsibility might be towards our country and people as well as towards maintaining peace and order. The purpose of this meeting will be defeated unless we consider the gravity of the situation with restraint rather than emotion and anger. I request
those wishing to address the gathering to do so after asking permission from the chair.’