CENTRAL OFFICE CIRCULAR NO.36

Summary

This two-page Swatantra Party circular, dated March 5, 1965, instructs General Council members, office bearers, and state committee members on how to respond to press inquiries, especially as party activity and the approaching elections increase. M. R. Masani advises members holding responsible positions to be cautious in their public statements and to categorically refuse dealings with newspapers and periodicals conducted by, or under the influence of, Communists and their fellow travellers. The circular claims that such publications may distort information about the Swatantra Party and encloses a list for members’ reference.

The enclosure divides publications into two groups: publications described as independently owned but staffed by Communist sympathisers, and papers identified as owned by the Communist Party of India. It records titles, languages, frequency of publication, places of publication, and, for some entries, editors. The document is an internal party communication rather than a general statement of press policy; its focus is electoral communications, partisan media strategy, and opposition to Communist influence in the press.

Key points

• The circular was issued by the Swatantra Party Central Office in Bombay on March 5, 1965.
• It addresses General Council members, office bearers, and members of state committees.
• It anticipates increased press approaches as party activity expands and elections draw near.
• It instructs responsible party members to be careful in what they say to the press.
• It specifically directs members to refuse dealings with Communist and fellow-travelling publications.
• It argues that such publications may distort views and information supplied by opponents of Communism and the Swatantra Party.
• The enclosure lists publications by language, periodicity, city of publication, ownership or affiliation, and, in some cases, editor.