[Letter to Jayaprakash Naryan]

Summary

This two-page correspondence from November 1974 records an exchange between Minoo Masani and Jayaprakash Narayan concerning the Bihar movement. Masani’s express message thanks Narayan for his invitation and regrets that he cannot attend the meeting, while promising to look forward to the Electoral Reform Committee’s report. Narayan’s letter, dated 9 November 1974, describes the Bihar struggle as eight months old and seeks Masani’s participation in a Delhi meeting of opposition leaders and other distinguished individuals on 25–26 November.

Key points

• Masani responds to Narayan’s invitation and says he cannot attend the forthcoming meeting.
• Masani expresses interest in the Electoral Reform Committee’s work.
• Narayan characterizes the Bihar movement as a peaceful struggle against corruption and misgovernment.
• Narayan argues that the Bihar situation reflects wider national problems, including inflation, unemployment, and inequalities.
• Narayan calls for radical institutional and political changes at both the Centre and in the states.
• The proposed Delhi meeting would consider support for the Bihar movement, pressure on the Central Government, and peaceful movements for reform elsewhere in India.