[Letter to Mr Minoo Masani]

Summary

This is a brief typewritten letter dated 21 November 1975, sent on Swatantra Party National Head Quarters letterhead (10-A Flowers Road, Madras) by V. S. Srinivasan, Joint Secretary, to Minoo Masani in Bombay. It concerns the logistical arrangements for a public meeting in Madras on 8 December 1975 to mark the birthday of C. Rajagopalachari (“Revered Rajaji”).

Srinivasan reports that Shanti Bhushan of Allahabad has “almost agreed” to travel to Madras for the meeting, at which Masani has already consented to speak. The venue is described as an auditorium seating about 2,000 with an adjoining open space that can accommodate around 50,000, and Srinivasan says he intends to give the event wide publicity to make it “a big success.” He proposes that K. Subba Rao preside, that Masani speak for thirty to forty minutes and Shanti Bhushan for about an hour, and notes that G. K. Sundaram has been asked to receive them in Madras. He asks Masani to confirm the address he will deliver.

The letter closes with a personal request for detailed news on the health of Jayaprakash Narayan, and a handwritten postscript records that a confirming telegram has since arrived from Shanti Bhushan agreeing to address the meeting on 8 December 1975. The second image shows the reverse of the inland-letter form, addressed to Masani at 148 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Bombay 1, with a 20-paise stamp postmarked Flowers Road.

Key points

• Letter of 21 November 1975 from V. S. Srinivasan, Joint Secretary of the Swatantra Party at its Madras head office, to Minoo Masani in Bombay.
• Concerns organisation of a Madras meeting on 8 December 1975 to mark Rajaji’s birthday, at which Masani has agreed to speak.
• Shanti Bhushan of Allahabad has almost agreed to attend, and a telegram of confirmation is noted in a handwritten postscript.
• Venue is described as a covered auditorium for about 2,000 and open ground for about 50,000, indicating a major public event.
• Srinivasan proposes K. Subba Rao to preside; Masani to speak for 30-40 minutes and Shanti Bhushan for about an hour; G. K. Sundaram to receive them in Madras.
• Srinivasan asks Masani to confirm the subject of his address so the arrangement can be finalised.
• The letter also asks Masani for detailed news on the health of Jayaprakash Narayan, a marker of the Emergency-era liberal-opposition solidarity between Swatantra and JP.
• The document itself is an inland-letter form posted from Flowers Road, Madras, addressed to 148 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Bombay 1.