Scattered Fates by Ram Garikipati (best affordable ebook reader txt) 📕

‘Isn't it a question of identity? The Japanese tried to wipe out our identity when they ruled us, Professor Subbaiah's party is afraid that the Dravdian identity may be wiped out.’

‘That is stretching things a bit too far, many Congress leaders are from the South. If they have no problems, then why should we fear? These small parties only want to come to power, and they will do anything to achieve their goals.’

‘Sir, do you support the Congress party?’

‘Yes I do, they fought for our independence and they are the only secular party which cares for our country's development.’

‘That is not what Professor Subbaiah told me.’

‘The main goal of his party is to humiliate Brahmins.’

‘I heard that Tamil Brahmins are dominating the society and practicing casteism.’

‘That is their old argument. They are reluctant to accept us as Tamilians because they say that our ancestors migrated from North India.’

‘You mean to say that your community was actually Aryan?’

‘There are no Aryans and no Dravidians. We all belong to the same race, this division was created by the British and other European scholars.’

‘Sir, you look different from the other Tamilians, you are fairer and could be easily mistaken for a North Indian.’

‘Color and facial appearance has nothing to do with race.’

‘So then Coreans could also be the same race as Tamilians, since we have many common words in the language?’

‘That is a bit far-fetched. You are clearly the Mongolian race. A little inter-mixing may have taken place years ago, but that is for the anthropologists to find out, I am an economics professor.’

‘You were saying that Tamil Brahmins are not accepted by other castes in South India? ‘

‘Yes, to get back to the point, Subbaiah's party is trying to push us away by saying that we are proficient in Sanskrit, and are Aryans. Actually the older generations of Brahmins were more interested in Tamil than Sanskrit. Many of them were scholars in Tamil and Sanskrit. Now they want to associate Tamil with the anti-Brahmin movement. This is a very clever strategy to isolate us.’

‘Is it true that most of the important positions in government are held by Brahmins?’

‘That is because many Brahmins gave importance to education. With good education, anyone can get important positions. The other castes did not give importance to education, and concentrated on their traditional skills, but once they saw that the Brahmins have occupied important positions, they are upset.’

‘Didn't they have important positions in ancient India too?’

‘We do not have factual information about the status of Tamil Brahmins before the British came to India. There were many Brahmin Ministers and officials under the Kings, but a vast majority of them were middle class or poor and dependent on the temples for their livelihood.’

‘They did not always have power?’

‘Even now they do not have as much power as they make you believe. I will tell you one thing for certain; when East India Company first came to India it was the trading community and not the Brahmins who prospered. The caste-based hierarchy has never represented the balance of power. Everyone accepts that Brahmins are the final authority in respect of religion, that’s all.’

‘They occupy the highest position in your caste system.’

‘That is right, but we were never considered as a ruling class. The lower caste Kshatriyas, were the rulers and the trading was left to people from Subbaiah's community, Vysyas. Only in respect of religion, Brahmins were supreme. So it is wrong to say that we always had power. We are a deeply misunderstood community.’

‘Then why are they against you?’

‘It is all politics, as I told you before. Look I am a Brahmin by birth, but I eat non-vegetarian and am an atheist, completely against the caste system. Many Tamil Brahmins were in the forefront for social reforms like women's education, rights and abolition of child marriage. But Subbaiah's party wants to ignore everything, and that is why I am against them.’

‘You seem to be very close to each other despite the differences.’

‘We have our ideological differences, but still respect each other. We are like brothers.’

‘Good to know, sir.’

‘So, you will be staying here for sometime?’

‘Maa’m insists that I stay till I recover.’

‘What about your clothes and luggage?’

‘Professor Subbaiah said he will bring them after his meeting.’

‘Nice, since there will be no classes now, I can come and chat with you regularly.’

‘Although you are against the imposition of Hindi, won’t you participate in the protests?’

‘Of course not, the last thing I want is for DMK to come to power.’

#

Subbaiah came back home for lunch with more news and Moon's bags.

‘Malathi,’ he shouted from the verandah.

‘You are back?’ she asked emerging from the kitchen. ‘Moon is taking a nap, you better lower your voice.’

‘How is he now?’

‘He looks better. Thammudu was here giving him company for sometime.’

‘I have important news for you.’

‘What?’

‘I think you should go to Hyderabad for some days and stay with your mother.’

‘Why?’

‘The situation is getting worse.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘We have decided to launch a violent agitation if our meeting is blocked today.’

‘That is OK. I was here in January. No one will come to the campus.’

‘Malathi, this is different. We are going to fight for a separate country, all the other States have agreed to our plan.’

‘What separate country? Like Pakistan?’

‘Yes. Indira has left us with no option. Anna is going to make the announcement tonight.’

‘That is crazy.’

‘I know, and we may not succeed, but if we do not threaten them, they will continue to be stubborn.’

‘Then it is just a bargaining tactic?’

‘For now yes, but if they use violence to crush our movement, we will seriously fight for it. Andhra, Mysore and Kerala are behind us. They will launch similar agitations.’

‘Why don't you come with me? We can stay away from all this. I am really worried.’

‘It is not right. I am in charge of the student’s demonstrations. Also if we succeed, I have been promised an important position in the party and new government.’

‘You are a professor. We don't need any government position. What if something happens to you? There will be a lot of violence. Please listen to me.’

‘Malathi, don't get unreasonable like your mother. I have to do this. I will anyway come to Hyderabad next week. I also have to coordinate with the other parties in Andhra.’

‘When do I have to leave?’

‘I have booked your ticket. The Howrah Mail departs at five I could not get a direct train. At Vijaywada, your coach will be attached to another train, so you do not have to worry.I am not sure that there will be any trains or buses running tomorrow.’

‘I don't have time to cook more food for you. What will you eat?’

‘That is alright, we will manage. Maybe Moon can teach me how to cook noodle soup. Don't worry about me.’

‘What about Moon? Shouldn't he also go back to his country?’

I thought of that. He has still not recovered. If the situation gets worse after one week, I will buy him a flight ticket and send him back. He can also take a ship.’

‘Why don't you talk to thammudu and ask him to call his brother-in-law in Delhi. Maybe he will have more information, Indira may relent.’

‘Yes, that is a good idea. I will do that. Keep Moon's bags in our room. No use disturbing him now. I will be back soon, meanwhile you finish cooking and start packing.’

#

It was midnight by the time Subbaiah returned from Marina Beach. Moon was anxiously waiting for him, seated on the porch, listening to what sounded like firecrackers. Ganapathy had briefly chatted with him before retiring home. His brother-in-law had warned that Indira was serious about making Hindi the national language as her political survival depended on it. Stay indoors, he had advised.

Malathi had left for Hyderabad, and the silence in the house was driving Moon crazy.

‘Still awake?’ Subbaiah asked as he spotted Moon sitting on the cane chair, in the dim moonlight.

‘What happened sir? Is everything OK?’

‘No, of course not, they are forcing our hand.’

‘Sir?’

‘They called in the army. The army against its own citizens! They prevented us from having any meeting. Anna and Karunanidhi managed to escape, but many people have been arrested.’

‘Was there violence like yesterday?’

‘Much more. Unbelievable. How can Indira use the army against us?’

‘What will happen now?’

‘A fight to the death. We need a separate country. Why don't you go to sleep? I have to leave again, as we have a meeting to decide our future course of action.’

‘Sir, can you help me switch on the radio? I tried, but could not connect to BBC News.’

‘Oh sure,’ Subbaiah said, turning a few knobs. ‘It takes time for the frequency to be caught. I will take a bath and then leave. Did you eat anything?’

‘Yes, Maa’m put some food in my room.’

As Subbaiah walked towards his bedroom, the radio in the living room sputtered to life. Just in time for the news.

Heavy gunfire is being heard on Marina Beach as anti-Hindi demonstrators continue to defy curfew in Madras. Ambulances were seen heading to the area and at least thirty fatalities have been reported so far, with more than 1,500 others injured, according to officials and doctors quoted by the news agencies.

Gunshots were also regularly ringing out of the area. Witnesses said the military allowed thousands of Congress party supporters, armed with hockey sticks and knives, to enter the area. Opposition groups said the government had sent in thugs to suppress anti-Hindi protests.

Our correspondent said the army seemed to be standing by and facilitating the clashes. Though initially put on the backfoot by the sudden attack, determined anti-government protesters look to be winning the battle. Witnesses also said that pro-Congress supporters were dragging away protesters they had managed to grab and handing them over to security forces.

Fighting is taking place around army tanks deployed around the beach, with stones bouncing off the armored vehicles. Several groups were involved in fistfights. The opposition also said many among the pro-Congress crowd were policemen in plain clothes. They have reportedly also seized police identification cards amongst the pro-Congress demonstrators...

Moon started sweating, and it was not because of his fever. As the news report continued rambling off shocking details of assault, he wondered what options he had. He was still very weak, and would not be able to catch a flight home in this condition.He had to bear it out for one more week, cooped up in Subbaiah's home.

Chapter 11: PAR FOR THE COURSE

‘So, how did your meeting with the crazy old man go?’ Naga asked Maya as she got into his car. He had been waiting for her to emerge from the university gates for close to 20 minutes now, and was even tempted to interrupt their meeting, when he suddenly saw Ganapathy walking away at a brisk pace. Maya was not far behind.

‘He talked a little about your father, but shut down as soon as he realized it,’ she said approaching the car.

‘That’s great, what did he say?’

‘They were close friends, almost like brothers.’

‘I was right all along. But something is fishy, why is he hiding that fact?’

‘He still speaks affectionately, and it is apparent he misses him.’

‘Then why can't he talk to me?’

‘There is something he is holding back, maybe some dark secret. We have to find out.’

‘It is possible that he helped the Hindustan agents kidnap my father. After all, he was the one who reported nanagaru’s kidnapping.’

‘Naga, I don't think that is possible. The police investigations did not throw up anything.’

‘We are talking about police investigations 30 years ago. They did not have modern facilities then. I would be the least surprised if it were true. From what you told me he was against the civil war and continues to praise Hindustan.’

‘That doesn't mean a thing. I am sure many people were against the civil war. Anyway, I have to meet him again tomorrow, maybe I can get out some