In Pursuit of Democracy: Beyond Party Lines, written by Najma Heptulla, is a fascinating account of her political career in India. Her remarkable career is covered in the book, including her 17 years as the deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha and her collaborations with leaders from Indira Gandhi to Narendra Modi. Her early mentors in the Congress were, of course, members of that party when she first entered public life. Despite her 2004 joining of the BJP, her book contains no disparaging remarks about the members of other parties who shaped her political journey.
According to her, the term ‘women’s empowerment’ had not become popular when she began her political work. A notion of women’s emancipation had emerged from their involvement in the freedom movement, but starting in the 1950s, the emphasis was on women’s “uplift” via the narrow lens of education and legislation. However, grassroots groups working for women’s rights that were not connected to political parties or labour unions began to emerge in the 1970s. They were largely involved with violence against women—from dowry to sexual exploitation. The potential of women to earn a living, acquire control over resources, and have a voice in society was hardly discussed.
She was assigned to the governorship of Manipur. She remembers her time there, her encounters with Kukis and Meiteis, and her sincere wish that the state may soon be at peace. Dr. Heptulla discusses how Indira Gandhi nominated her to a women’s committee for the UN’s International Women’s Year festivities in order to promote equality, peace, and development from a female perspective. She was the youngest and least experienced member of the team out of 35 women.
In 1980, while she was preparing for their regular Sunday outing, Dr. Heptulla recounted an interesting experience. The phone rang abruptly, and she recognised Dr. Rafiq Zakaria’s voice. “Congratulations,” he said. ‘You have been selected for nomination to the Rajya Sabha by Shrimati Indira Gandhi,’ he further added. Heptulla was overcome with memories of the day Mrs. Gandhi asked her if she wanted to take part in the elections. “No,” she had said, “I am not interested, Madam.” That’s when she realised
Mrs. Gandhi hadn’t forgotten that day, nor had she accepted her response.
During the massive global upheavals of the 1980s and 1990s, the government often asked for her assistance. She tells the story while she was at a convention for women. Krishna Dayal Sharma, the Indian ambassador to Pakistan at the time, pulled her aside as she was thanking the conference delegates and declared, “Mrs. Gandhi has been shot.” She was astonished and upset when she learnt about it, so she left for India.
She explains that she knew Lalu Prasad Yadav, who was a unique person in Indian politics. Her understanding of him was entirely different from his earthy and localised public presence—she considered him to be one of the brightest minds in Indian politics.
Dr. Heptulla says that she got to meet Narendra Modi, the Gujarat chief minister at the time, after the state was ravaged by the 2001 Bhuj earthquake. She carried out physical surveys and soil studies in Gujarat at the time to aid in the state’s development. Since then, she has consistently communicated with Modi. She called him “Narendra Bhai,” and he would address her as “Najma Behn.”
In reference to the Godhra riots of 2002, Heptulla says that “Modi was being criticised by journalists for maintaining a studied silence through the first week of violence.” She writes, “I narrated to journalists how Modi had helped the Bohra Muslim community during the communal riots. The Bohras constituted a peaceful business community among Muslims. I had very good relations with them because my husband belonged to that community. The chief of the community had rung me up and told me that there was a large community of Bohras in Gujarat, and they never participated in any rioting activity. He asked for help. I rang up Modi and told him about the Bohras: ‘Please protect them.’ He said, ‘Don’t worry. I will.’ And he did. In the 2002 election, the Bohra community supported the BJP and, in particular, Narendra Modi.”
According to her, they were facing more than simply a great degree of mistrust. They were unable to contact Sonia Gandhi because they were cut off from her. This marked a dramatic and significant shift from the previous Congress culture. As Heptulla writes, Indira Gandhi used to keep an open house. She was accessible to the rank-and-file members.
In addition to providing readers with a window into Heptulla’s personal life, this memoir gives them unparalleled access to Indian democracy. It is easy to read because of its straightforward and captivating writing style.
Shahruk Ahmed Mazumdar is a Writer, Columnist
X/Twitter id: @Shahrukhahmedsk
Email Id: [email protected]
