[Letter to Mr Minoo Masani]

Summary

In this one-page letter dated April 2, 1970, Mahamaya Prasad Sinha warns that Indian democracy is endangered by the growing public advocacy of violence. Invoking the constitutional tradition and the non-violent struggle against British rule, he argues that India should reject violent methods associated with other countries and pursue political change through peace, orderliness, and non-violence.

Sinha tells M. R. Masani that he has consulted others and received communications urging action to divert public opinion from violence. He therefore invites Masani to attend a Save Democracy Convention in Patna on April 25–26, 1970, describing collective and concrete action to protect democracy as urgent.

Key points

• The letter identifies violence and its public advocacy as an immediate danger to Indian democracy.
• Sinha appeals to the constitutional tradition and to the non-violent struggle against British rule.
• It rejects violent political methods associated with other countries as unsuitable to India’s culture and civilisation.
• The letter argues that violence generates further violence in an endless chain.
• Sinha calls for peaceful, orderly, non-violent collective action to defend freedom and democratic institutions.
• The recipient is invited to attend a Save Democracy Convention in Patna on April 25–26, 1970.