Patriots & Partisans
Ramachandra Guha
Penguin
2012, pp 334 Rs. 699
Not many historians delve deep into contemporary events as Ramachandra Guha does. While offering a critique of the present, he never minces words. Guha, who wears his liberalism on his sleeve, asserts that for the world's largest democracy to survive, it is essential to adopt a centrist path, abjuring the extremism of the right and the left. He takes on Hindutva votaries for appropriating the language of patriotism, Maoists for mindless violence, and the government for insensitivity. As one who believes in sustaining the pluralism of India, he feels in the present strife-torn milieu, a writer should seek to moderate social and political conflicts instead of taking sides.
Guha's latest work, Patriots & Partisans, is a collection of 15 essays written between 2005 and 2011. Less academic than his earlier works, the essays are on people, events, ideologies and institutions that shaped modern India. The volume incorporates his experiences, interactions, travels and reflections over a period of 30 years.
The book begins with an incisive overview of the major threats facing the nation. Guha explores critically the factors that led to the rise of Hindutva and the limitations of the left. He lashes out at the culture of sycophancy promoted by the Congress. 'Short history of Congress Chamchagiri' is a deftly crafted essay that analyses the fallout of the dynastic principle on Indian polity. It has not just damaged the working of the Congress party, but the working of Indian democracy itself, he asserts. He terms the system that prefers loyalty to merit 'darbari democracy' with the atmosphere in Delhi resembling that of a medieval court with all accompanying evils. "The cult of the Nehru-Gandhis, dead or alive, is deeply inimical to the practice of democracy."
'The Professor and the Protester' explores why Manmohan Singh is such a disappointment as the prime minister. Guha attributes the failure to Singh's 'timidity, bordering at times on obsequiousness towards Sonia Gandhi', his failure to contest a Lok Sabha seat, his lack of judgment in choosing key advisors, and his eagerness to win plaudits from the west. Had the PM retired in 2009, history would have judged him kindly.
Analysing the limitations and the social impact of the Anna Hazare campaign, Guha explains why a rural patriarch with his limited world view is no Mahatma. He says just one Lok Pal is not enough to improve the quality and functioning of democratic institutions.
The none too flattering view of the first family of Congress in no way colours Guha's judgment of Jawaharlal Nehru, termed a 'true maker of modern India', who shaped the nation's destiny. He ascribes the fall in Nehru's reputation to a great extent on the excesses of his descendants. He is certain that "the sins of the daughter and grandson have been visited upon him". Guha is not prepared to put the blame on Nehru, even for the Chinese invasion. He describes the border conflict as a clash of civilisations. He claims that "Nehru was not as much in control of the events as commonly supposed." However, this assertion is not borne out by reality as the foreign policy, China policy in particular, was Nehru's exclusive domain. He had failed to heed warnings from his own cabinet colleagues on Chinese designs with disastrous consequences. Only his aides paid for it.
The second part of the book focuses on cultural life — writers, scholars and institutions. While terming linguistic states as a success, Guha laments the fall in the number of bilingual intellectuals. He states that parochialism and populism have contributed to the decline of great universities like Bombay, Calcutta and Madras. Guha argues for pluralism in the student body and teaching staff, and an end to inbreeding in universities, to stem the rot.
'Turning crimson at Premier's' is a glowing tribute to the peerless bookseller T S Shanbhag, who contributed in his own way to the intellectual life of Bangalore. His Premier Bookshop on Church Street used to be the favourite haunt of bibliophiles who had a lasting bond with the genial owner. Old-timers will share Guha's feeling of sadness over its closure. He discusses the role of Economic and Political Weekly in sustaining an intellectual culture in India, and the fall of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library from its halcyon days.
These socio-political essays by the pre-eminent chronicler of Indian history, laced with catchy anecdotes and fascinating character sketches, make a delightful read. He has a knack of humanising history through character portraits, enhancing the appeal of his works. The awesome breadth of his knowledge, backed by meticulous research, and the clarity of thought, illuminate the pages. Guha's prose can match the best creative writer's. Patriots & Partisans is an invaluable volume for a student of history, and an inspiring companion to the dispassionate reader.