[Letter to C Rajagopalachari]

Summary

In this letter dated 4 April 1972, M. R. Masani writes to C. Rajagopalachari (“Rajaji”) about Rajagopalachari’s article “Social Justice vs. Socialism” and his “Dear Reader” column in the 8 April issue. Masani welcomes Rajagopalachari’s apparent decision to reconsider a proposed change in the name of the party, while stressing that a change of name alone would accomplish little without a corresponding change in principles.

Masani argues that political labels cannot substitute for substance, invoking the saying that “a rose by any other name smells as sweet” and reversing it to make the point that changing a name without changing principles risks appearing to deceive the public. He also encloses his reply to Dr. R. C. Cooper’s comments on a letter to H. M. Patel. The visible page contains only this correspondence; no further discussion of the enclosed reply is included.

Key points

• Masani praises Rajagopalachari’s article “Social Justice vs. Socialism” and his “Dear Reader” column.
• The letter concerns a proposed change in the name of a political party.
• Masani argues that renaming a party without changing its principles would not serve a meaningful purpose.
• He warns that the public may regard a merely cosmetic name change as an attempt to mislead them.
• Masani says he is pleased that Rajagopalachari appears to have abandoned or reconsidered the proposed change.
• He encloses a reply to Dr. R. C. Cooper concerning Cooper’s letter to H. M. Patel.