The Hindu Business Line : Leadership lessons from ‘Dear Bapu’

This is not a play review, although I have been prompted to write this, after an exceptional evening of theatre. ‘Dear Bapu’ is a dramatised version of the correspondence between Jawaharlal Nehru and Mohandas Gandhi, over 30 years. Written and produced by Mohan Maharishi, a former head of the National School of Drama, it gives us a direct glimpse into a historic confrontation between two well-defined personality types and philosophies of life. Its implications resonate in the political debate today and are as relevant 60 years after, even if the individuals themselves are gone. One represents the heart and soul of India of a thousand years, living in lakhs of villages. And the other is a city-bred, socialistic, agnostic, and radical view, fashioned by European intellectual influences.

The differences

However, the differences are not merely in ideology. They are also a matter of fundamental approach to human affairs. An impatient Jawaharlal repeatedly wants to brush aside all opposition in his race towards a dream-state, whereas Bapu is forever the democrat wanting to carry everyone with him, building a consensus within the party of traders, contractors and landlords that the original Congress was.

It is touching to see him point out that he had to first understand what Jawaharlal was saying before reacting to it, even if agreement were not always possible. He repeatedly counsels patience and forbearance — indeed an unconditioned love for all — in the face of all opposition. Nehru wants to announce an industrialised society organised along communist lines, with transfer of power to the workers and centralisation of industrial power in the hands of the State, while Gandhi wants transformation to begin in the villages, in the ways of thinking and in providing them with the basic needs of life.

Leadership issues

With every issue and every Congress resolution proposed, one finds that there is a majority view, a radical view and then there is a Gandhian compromise. It might often achieve the same aims that the opposing sides want to — but do so gradually and imperceptibly, over a few years.

The letters offer another insightful lesson, in the fundamental paradox and a challenge common to leadership in all aspects of life. It is often said that what followers look for most in their leaders is consistency. Yet, this may not always be possible in a superficial sense, because circumstances do change suddenly and in unexpected directions. A good example is provided by Bapu’s willingness to negotiate and dialogue almost at all costs, with anyone because maintaining peace and harmony was always to be the highest priority. To the casual observer however, the willingness to support the British war effort against and suspend all agitation might have looked quite contrary to his previous statements, but it was clearly a mature and subtle mind that weighed the two, imperialism and fascism, and chose to eliminate the latter first. There would be time enough after the war for the other. History proved him wise in the end.

Need for inclusive growth

Much the same would apply to the persistence and willingness to continue the dialogue with Jinnah till the very last moment. Despite failing health, disappointing progress and opposition from within the Congress, Bapu went doggedly on, running the risk of being labelled weak, or partial to the minority community, against the interest of the majority, which contributed to his tragic end. Instead, he identified himself with every isolated class and demonstrated the truth of the need for ‘inclusive growth’ long before it became a fashionable political phrase.

(Response can be sent to srchander23@netscape.net)

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