[Letter from Mr Minoo Masani]

Summary

In this letter dated 3 August 1962, M. R. Masani asks H. H. Maharaja P. K. Deo to clarify whether press reports have accurately represented his position at a meeting of the National Integration Committee on communalism. Masani distinguishes the Swatantra Party’s commitment to secular, non-denominational democracy from support for banning communal parties, arguing that the latter would contradict the party’s stated philosophy and Article 60 of its proposed programme. He urges Deo to write to committee chairman Asok Mehta if the report is inaccurate, or to identify any pro-ban statement as his personal view rather than the party’s position.

Key points

• Masani requests a report of Deo’s meeting with the Prime Minister because press reports may be misleading.
• He disputes the reported claim that the Swatantra Party supports banning communal parties.
• The letter presents secularism and non-denominational democracy as distinct from suppressing communal associations.
• Masani invokes Article 60, which states that associations protecting the rights of classes or communities should not be discouraged or banned.
• He asks Deo to correct the committee’s account or clearly separate his personal position from the party’s position.
• The attached telegrams convey the Swatantra Party’s opposition to the government’s handling of Chinese aggression and its call for firmer action.