Read Scattered Fates - a novel on the second partition of India Page 27
#
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.