389. Did Vittal Yield to Pressure?

"I will give thirty more days to this government. If, by that time, this government fails to establish the 'people's court,' an autonomous body to probe corruption allegations against government servants and politicians holding public offices, I will launch my 'fast unto death' agitation."

It was more than twenty days since the activist Vittal had given this ultimatum. But the government didn't initiate any step to set up the 'people's court.'

The Prime Minister issued a statement saying that the government has been engaged in consultations with a wide cross section of people, to elicit their views about the structure of the court, modalities for its functioning etc. and that the 'people's court' will be set up in tune with the preferences of the majority of the people. He appealed to Vittal to give up his plan to go on an indefinite fast.

Vittal rejected the Prime Minister's appeal arguing that it would take two or three years for the consultative process to be completed, by which time the next election would have been over. He said that this approach would only lead to delay and ensure that the process of setting up the people's court is indefinitely delayed.

Vittal announced his intention to go ahead with his fast.

At the behest of the Prime Minister, a few ministers met Vittal and tried to dissuade him from his decision, but Vittal was firm in his resolve to go on an indefinite past.

Subsequent to this, a few leading lights from the TV and print media also met Vittal. They refused to divulge what they had discussed with Vittal. The social media was abuzz with insinuations that the government was trying to put pressure on Vittal through media persons favourably disposed towards the government.

Two days before the scheduled date of starting the fast, Vittal made an announcement that he was deferring his fast on health considerations. He was widely criticized in the social media for succumbing to the pressure exerted by the government.

"Why did you change your decision?" asked Satish, a news reporter and a friend of Vittal.

"You are responsible for this!" said Vittal.

"Me? What did I do? I didn't even talk to you about your plan!" asked Satish, surprised by his friend's accusation.

"I am not referring to you as a person but to your community of journalists!"

"Are you referring to the people from the media who met you? Did they urge you to give up your plan?"

"They didn't. But some of the facts I learned by talking to them made me reflect on my decision?"

"What are those facts?"

"Of late, there have been a lot of harsh criticism about the government, particularly the Prime Minister. Criticism is fine. But some of the comments have been scandalous."

"Yes. I have seen such a trend recently. Though our newspaper has been highly critical of this government, we have condemned those kinds of scandalous comments."

"Our Prime Minister was an Economist before he entered politics. He is gentle and soft-spoken. He is a person who accepts any criticism with a smile. But some people have taken advantage of his tolerant attitude and been making defamatory comments about him. Some members of his cabinet took exception to this and initiated action against some people who made scurrilous remarks about the government and the Prime Minister. Stern action has also been taken against a few people. But the Prime Minister, on coming to know of this, intervened and got those actions rescinded or withdrawn. He has strictly advised his cabinet colleagues and the officials, that however harsh or unfair a criticism may be, it should be responded to in an appropriate manner but that no action should be taken against people who made such critical remarks."

"This is news to me. Are you sure that this is true? How did you come to know of this?"

"I learnt this from the media executives who met me. They didn't meet me at the behest of the government, as was insinuated by some people in the social media. They came on their own out of their concern for me. After I had learnt about the action of the Prime Minister, I came to the conclusion that a ruler who has the magnanimity to tolerate harsh criticism against him would definitely have the country's interests in his mind. So I decided to give more time to the prime minister to act on my demand."

"Ok. But people deride you saying that you have done a volte-face. They even attribute motives for your changing your stand!" said Satish.

"I am aware of it. When we have a Prime Minister who is tolerant of criticism, I don't mind accepting such criticism for doing what I think is right" said Vittal.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 39
The Might of a Ruler

Verse 389 (in Tamil):

sevigaippach choR poRukkum paNbudai vEndhan
kavigaik kIzhth thaNgum ulagu.

Meaning:

The king who tolerates even stinging criticism, will have the world rest under his sceptre.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'vilai pOna vittal' by the same author.)

Verse 390
Verse 388