Letter to Mr H P Modi

Summary

In this two-page handwritten letter dated 20 October 1959, C. Rajagopalachari writes to “Modi” about the need for political assistance and expresses relief that the recipient’s own letter has made a further appeal unnecessary. He says he is greatly heartened by the recipient’s continued support and argues that tyranny persists when its victims remain afraid.

Rajagopalachari warns that political repression is becoming increasingly autocratic and that speech is being fettered. He hopes that the recipient and Mr. Shroff will show courage in confronting those responsible. The letter closes with a brief reference to reading a report of “Sri P…”’s observations. The recipient’s full identity and the final referenced name cannot be established from the rendered pages.

Key points

• Rajagopalachari writes to a recipient addressed only as “Modi” and refers to the recipient’s recent letter.
• He says a planned appeal for active assistance is unnecessary because of the support already expressed.
• He describes himself as greatly heartened by the recipient’s continued support.
• He argues that tyranny cannot be ended while its victims remain afraid.
• He warns that political friends are becoming increasingly autocratic and are restricting freedom of speech.
• He calls for courage from the recipient and Mr. Shroff in responding to this situation.
• The letter also notes that Rajagopalachari has read a report of observations by an incompletely legible “Sri P…”