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First Person Singluar
About superstitions and Nehru, Indira Gandhi
Aroon Sharma
Dec 2009
Dec 2009
Page 1 of 2
Wasn't Indira as contemptuous of superstitions as Nehru was?
Thus, to read in Katherine Frank's “Indira” -- The Life of Indira Nehru Gandhi, HarperCollins, 2001 – that she was not, sent me on a leather hunt. Having read her actions abiding by superstitions, I looked for her words deriding them. Since the father had brought up the daughter, I edifice the column on his considered views.
He in 1955: “In India….we have to deal with a way of thinking which follows old ruts, sometimes with superstitions and with outlooks that stand in the way of progress. I earnestly hope she (India) would give up the large number of superstitions and evil ways of old which have impelled her growth and which are used to divert people.”
She in 1966: “We must ever renew and cleanse all that is mere superstition or meaningless ritual accumulated and petrified over the centuries.” She again in 1968: “Science is the enemy of superstition. But superstition comes from dead habit and ignorance, and the inability to distinguish between out-worn beliefs and values.”
She in 1968: “It is well to remember that not all our beliefs are superstitious. Our philosophy and tradition have given fortitude and strength to our people and have enabled our civilization to survive through the ages.” Finally, the fourth of her views on superstitions, I culled out from her speeches in early years in power.
She in 1970: “One of the greatest struggles….newly free countries have to wage is against the forces of superstition. Seeds of dissension, whether in the name of religion, caste or language, threaten national integrity and freedom.” Its against such a backdrop, that I seek her descendants indulgence. And quote Katherine Frank:
Page 442: “On February 16 ( 1980 ), there was a solar eclipse – the first in India in eighty four years. She took a day off…invited her friend Pupul Jayakar to view the event with her. Rajiv and his children were out in the garden during the afternoon where he had set up a telescope and equipped everyone with dark glasses…..
“…..Sanjay was too busy to bother….Maneka, his wife, was eight months pregnant….to
Jayakar's surprise, Indira told Maneka to stay in her room and not view the eclipse because traditional belief held that a solar eclipse 'was a direct threat to the unborn child', and that no pregnant woman should 'expose herself to baneful influence.”
“….The sky got dimmer and the air cooler. Birds fell silent. A dark blue light spread over the city, erasing shadows. Suddenly Indira rose up, left Jayakar and went to her room where she remained alone, unless the eclipse was over. She was clearly unnerved by the obscuring of the Sun, but she wanted to conceal her fear. Jayakar was dismayed.”
Page 448: “Before Sanjay's death, Brahmachari ( Dhirendra ) had warned Indira that her enemies were engaging in 'tantric' rites to bring down a calamity on her family. To avert harm, Brahmachari told Indira she must visit a specific number of shrines and perform certain rituals. She had not been able to complete all these….
“…. shrine visits - and so not fully placated hostile forces -- when Sanjay crashed his plane. Indira told Pupul Jayakar that his death could have been averted and that it was her fault.” ( In 'Notes', page 532, Katherine Frank ascribes the above to her interview with James Manor. His name is also in 'Acknowledgements', page XVI )
Para Two: “Though she presented a secular façade and claimed to have the vaguest of spiritual beliefs, Indira had always been superstitious….a legacy….of her maternal grandmother, Swarup Rani Nehru, as well as her mother. Indira had irritated Nehru by refusing to move to Teen Murti House until the exact auspicious time and date….”
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