(...Contd)

C.S.: Which parties does your Holiness consider communal?

H.H.: Well, there are, in the first category, parties like the Hindu Mahasabha, Muslim League and the Akali Dal and their offshoots.

C.S.: These parties are in existence for a long time. They have a large following. It may not be easy to bring about their dissolution.

H.H.: The question of dissolution does not arise. These parties have a rightful role to play. But they should confine their activities to social service and social reform and the dissemination of the values of their respective religions and the teachings of their saints. They should also teach their co-religionists that Indian secularism does not mean Godlessness or deprecating and reviling other religions. True secularism is equal respect for all religions.

D.D.: How to make these parties work within the parameters your Holiness has indicated?

H.H.: We are a secular state. In view of the unhappy experience after the advent of freedom, and the damage communal parties have done to the national fabric, it is time that the Government should, if need be, and if constitutionally permissible, prohibit by law communal parties contesting elections by themselves or in alliance with recognised national political parties. In any event, national political parties should refuse to have any alliance with these parties. The Constituent Assembly (Legislature) had passed a resolution in 1948 in this regard.

C.S.: Yes, I remember. We hope, with your Holiness’ grace, this wholesome change will some day come about.

V.S. Page: Pray indicate as to how we should proceed?

H.H.: Subramaniam, you and other like-minded friends all over India should get together and help the Government in this regard. First, do your part of the job; then the grace of God and the Godly would follow as a matter of course.
First, get in touch with Acharya Vinoba Bhave for his advice and guidance. Thereafter, in consultation with him, you should draw up a list of non-party leaders of high probity and unimpeachable integrity. All of you should then discuss the problem in all its aspects. Thereafter, some of you should form into a team and personally contact the Prime Minister and all the important leaders of the national political parties and convince them of the imperative need to abjure alliance with communal forces in the larger interest of the nation. Your team should also meet the leaders of the communal parties and prevail upon them to give up political activities.

C.S.: We shall certainly do so. But will this bring immediate result?

H.H.: Nation-building is a long-drawn-out and never-ending process. It requires sincere and persevering efforts. Right means will alone lead to right ends. If you start the work in right earnest, I am sure, it will be successfully accomplished - maybe it may even take two or three decades. But start you must on this vital task without delay.

D.D.: We shall certainly make an effort.