Letter To Mr Minoo Masani

Summary

This three-page letter, dated 6 November 1959 and signed “Nutan,” is addressed to Minoo Masani. The writer reports on a visit to Rajasthan and assesses the prospects of the newly formed Swatantra Party there. The letter argues that, if Swatantra seeks to establish itself in Rajasthan, the merger of the Swatantra Party and the Ram Rajya Parishad would need to be addressed; it identifies Rajaji as the party’s principal recognized opposition figure and refers to K. M. Munshi’s expected visit to Jaipur.

The writer also comments on education and elections. They criticize the prevailing university education as unsatisfactory and argue that inadequate preparation leaves people unready for the “last election.” The letter closes with practical requests to convey the writer’s message to Rajaji and Munshi and to ask several contacts to respond.

Key points

• The writer describes a recent visit to Rajasthan and reports conversations with provincial leaders and local people.
• The letter assesses the Swatantra Party’s prospects in Rajasthan in the context of its formation in 1959.
• It argues that a Swatantra–Ram Rajya Parishad merger would be necessary if Swatantra were to establish itself in Rajasthan.
• Rajaji is described as the recognized opposition leader, while K. M. Munshi is expected to visit Jaipur.
• The writer praises the founder of the Ram Rajya Parishad for criticizing communism in a book on Marxism.
• The letter criticizes university education and links inadequate preparation to the public’s performance in the recent election.
• The writer asks the recipient to pass the message to Rajaji and Munshi and to seek their views.