[Letter to Devashyam]

Summary

In this letter dated July 17, 1975, M. R. Masani writes to Mr. Devashayam, Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh, about his friend Jayaprakash Narayan, whom he understands to be detained at Chandigarh under Devashayam’s jurisdiction. Masani recalls that he and Narayan had been friends since 1933, when both served as secretaries of the Congress Socialist Party, and asks Devashayam to forward an enclosed letter to Narayan, subject to any censorship he considers appropriate.

Masani also refers to an earlier period when Narayan was detained in Lahore Fort by the British authorities in 1943, during which correspondence and reading material were permitted. He asks for permission to send Narayan non-political reading material and seeks assistance in arranging a fortnightly visit, or an interview during Masani’s next trip from Bombay to Chandigarh. The page presents a personal appeal framed around humane treatment, correspondence, reading, and access to a detained political figure.

Key points

• The letter is dated July 17, 1975, and is addressed to Mr. Devashayam, Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh.
• Masani says Jayaprakash Narayan is detained at Chandigarh under Devashayam’s jurisdiction.
• Masani and Narayan had been friends since 1933 and had both served as secretaries of the Congress Socialist Party.
• Masani asks that an enclosed letter be forwarded to Narayan, allowing Devashayam to censor it as he sees fit.
• He requests permission to send Narayan non-political reading material.
• He seeks help arranging a fortnightly visit or an interview with Narayan during his next trip to Chandigarh.