Theatre of the ABSURD

From his linens sent to Paris for cleaning to his affairs, the public discourse on Nehru has become personal

- Purushottam Agrawal

ANironical comment that often appears on social media—“Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India who passed away in 1964, does not let the present prime minister do anything” underlines that Nehru still remains a great obstacle for the fundamental cultural and political project of the current regime. It is not a recent phenomenon. Nehru was one of the targets even before Independence. And as the PM, he became the prime target. He was trolled even before this term got currency; there was venom spewed against him in his lifetime, and he was not spared even in death. The intensity has multiplied manifold in this ‘post-truth’ era of taking advantage of mass credulity. “Linens of Nehru household being sent to Pairs for cleaning” is a telling example.

This legend has been in vogue since the 1930s, and reflected appreciation for the great sacrifices made by Nehru’s family. He was aware of it and dismissed it with characteristic irritation in his book An Autobiography: “Anything more fantastic and absurd it is difficult for me to imagine, and if anyone is foolish enough to indulge in this wasteful snobbery, I should have thought he would get a special mention for being a prize fool.” But, these days, this ‘legend’ is presented as a cold ‘fact’ on national TV by spokespersons of the ruling party with no probing from the host(s) of the show.