So-called the greatest democrat and ‘Architect of modern India’ piloted first amendment to the Constitution on May 10, 1951 to restrict freedom of expression through Article 19(1)(a) followed by Press Objectionable Act. It was the case of ‘Romesh Thapar vs. The State Of Madras’ that prompted him to legislate the amendment as Supreme Court had earlier affirmed unmitigated freedom of expression in harmony with the Constitution. Proceeds of the amendment have been calamitous as Nehru had been exceedingly vindictive, vicious and vengeful. Under mentioned are instances when the last Mughal stooped to his lowest to reveal his depredations with respect to sacrosanct freedom of speech –
An outstanding lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri was jailed in 1950s for a critical composition on the last Mughal calling him ‘Hitler Ka Chela’.
In 1961, movie ‘Amar Rahe Ye Pyar’ was censured because of one song of Pradip,
“Hai! Siyaasat kitni gandi, Buri hai kitni firqa bandi;
Aaj ye sab ke sab narnaari, Ho gaye raste ke ye bhikari.”
Highly regarded author Dharma Pal was imprisoned for writing an open letter to Nehru criticising him for China debacle in 1962.
On Aug. 22, 1953, leaders of all nationalistic political parties constituted a Tibet Committee to protest against Chinese occupation of Tibet before Chinese Embassy in New Delhi. The last Mughal reacted strongly by compelling NG Ranga to quit the Committee and condemned the move. Media was bullied to black-out the news including Feroze Gandhi ordering Indian Express not to report the news as Director of the group. On the floor of Rajya Sabha Nehru threatened media in a menacing language, “They proclaim a Tibet Day…. Well, it is rather childish… In fact, it indicates their own smallness and folly… I mention this because it is perfectly ridiculous. I don’t mind if anybody thinks so and wants to oppose us, not in argument or debate or even in public streets. Well, if he goes beyond a certain limit, any Government will have to take action…” So Nehru betrayed extreme intolerance for the Right To Dissent for the camouflage of Freedom Of Expression. He never uttered a word on Communist violence before government bodies yet threatened a small group of patriots who saw nations security jeopardised in Chinese acquisition of Tibet.
First democratically elected government to be dismissed by him was in Kerala and he went on to declare that communist parties would be debarred from contesting elections in future.
Congress leaders demanding Nehrus resignation post China Debacle-1962 were imprisoned.
Following books and publications were banned by the last Mughal being champion of democracy and freedom of expression –
Nine Hours To Rama by Stanley Wolpert,
Chandra Mohini and Ramayana by Quadro Menon,
The Lotus And The Robot by Arthur Koestler,
Temples:The Heart Of India,
Captive Kashmir by Aziz Baig,
Ayesha by Fishler,
Unarmed Victory by Bertrand Russell,
Marka-e-Somnath by Maulana Sardanvi,
Lady Chatterley’s Lover by Robert Taylor,
What Religion Has Done For Mankind by Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society,
Bhupat Singh by Raghunath,
The Heart of India by Campbell,
The Dark Earth by Taylor,
Neel Akshar Neechey by Mrinal Sen,
Nepal of Tony Hagen,
Rama Retold by Aubrey Menen,
An Area Of Darkness by VS Naipaul,
Organiser of RSS censored and publisher prosecuted,
Nathuram Godses testimony in court,
Dr. Rajendra Prasads speeches banned from being circulated,
Plays that were banned were Parthasarathy, Har Pita Master, Mahesh by SC Chattopadhyaya, Gora and Visarjan of RN Thakur,
Import of every newspaper exposing his foreign policies were banned.
Following journalists were fired from their jobs –
Columnist Vivek and his column banned,
Editor Durga Das of Hindustan Times,
Times Of India banned for advertisements for publishing critical articles by PK Thakeray,
Magazine Crossword
Following movies were either banned altogether or censored –
Nine Hours To Rama by Mark Robson, Still Me Raksa by Mrinal Sen, Nepal by Toni Hagen, Gokul Shankar, Bhool Na Jana, Nastik by IS Jauhar, Ganga Jamuna, Jadu Ki Kursi by Balraj Sahni, Jugnu and Jharna;
Ramesh Sahgal was ordered to modify certain dialogues in his movies,
Peoples Theatre Association banned.
Following songs and music too were banned –
Songs of Rumni Goswami, Sahir Ludhianvi, Pradip and two songs of the movie Phir Subah Hogi and western pop music,
Harmonium was banned from All India Radio.
Irony is that the last Mughal is still tom-tommed to be an ardent defender of freedom of speech. His advisory “Don’t leave me, Shankar” to well-known cartoonist Shankar, has been liberally peddled around by dubious journalists like Dileep Padgaonkar to establish his democratic-acumen which in reality, did not exist at all. Myths about the last Mughal must be busticated now and all riddles created around him by his sycophants, unravelled to expose his petty mindedness.
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