[Letter to Mr Minoo Masani]

Summary

A one-page typewritten letter from C. Rajagopalachari to Minoo Masani, dated 16 January 1963, sent from Rajaji’s Tyagarayanagar (Madras) address and stamped as received at the Swatantra Party office on 18 January 1963 (No. 01784). Rajaji encloses an advance proof of his own front-page article for the forthcoming issue of Swarajya, which he says will reach every Member of Parliament by Monday the 21st.

His stated reason for the private courtesy is a pointed judgement about the Indian press: he does not expect the Press Trust of India or the daily papers to do justice to the piece if he first releases it as a public statement, so the Swarajya route is chosen deliberately. The letter is addressed to Masani in his capacity as General Secretary of the Swatantra Party at 143, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Bombay-1, and is signed off “Yours affectionately” with a single enclosure.

Key points

• Personal letter from C. Rajagopalachari to Minoo Masani, dated 16 January 1963, on Rajaji’s 60, Bazlullah Road, Tyagarayanagar, Madras-17 letterhead.
• Encloses an advance proof of Rajaji’s own front-page article for the next issue of Swarajya.
• The Swarajya issue is being posted to every Member of Parliament, timed to arrive on Monday the 21st.
• Rajaji explains he is bypassing the wire agencies because he does not trust P.T.I. or the daily papers to report the piece faithfully as a statement.
• Masani is addressed in his role as General Secretary of the Swatantra Party at 143, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Bombay-1.
• The Swatantra Party office recorded receipt on 18 January 1963 under inward number 01784.