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The Alan Campbell-Johnson Chat

Agnivesh> You are absolutely right... about the dal burning, that is. And thanks for the compliment about my being good enough for C-grade Bollywood movies. I am sure you are an authority on C-grade movies. But Agni, you are absolutely wrong about my being wrong you know. But, yes, your logic is a bit beyond my comprehension - as it is beyond any sane man's. If it is a chat -- rpt if it is a CHAT -- it is something off the cuff. Here you speak the way you would really chat. You are not interveing somebody, buddy, just chatting. Please get that into your head, if it is possible. And yes, my dal is burning. Thanks to you.

I must take your leave, Sir. Thank you for a most educative Chat. Amazing stuff. God bless you, Sir.

i personally feel that partition could have been avoided. Religion does not divides but joins people.

Imran: Not with Mr Jinnah around. The Jinnahs and Advanis of this world are born to divide people, not to join them!

Both were from Karachi, I might add!!

Agnivesh: Clearly, World War II did play a role. Churchill's view on India before the war had been extremely reactionary, but with the vast Indian army engaged in the war he was obliged to come to terms with reality. The Cripps offer in 1942, if accepted, would have ensured a unitary solution; but Gandhi regarded it as a blank cheque given on a crashing bank. It looked that way but it was not true.

SRIKANT: GANDHI WAS A HYPOCRITE: HE NEVER STAND BY HIS VIEWS. IN 1921 WHEN HE ANNOUNCED NON COOPERATION MOVEMENT, HE BACTRACKED JUST BECAUSE OF THE INCIDENT OF CHAURICHARA?? AGAIN IN THE YEAR 1939 WHEN HIS CANDIDATURE LOST TO SUBHASH CHANDRA BOSE, HE WENT FOR FAST?? AN ARDENT SUPPORTER OF BAJAJ'S AND ALL THE BANIYAS. AFTER THE INDEPENDENCE SAME BANIYAS LOOTED THE COUNTRY. ONE MORE POINT: HE TOLD THAT PARTION WILL BE ON HIS DEAD BODY. BUT HE NEVER DIED. HE BETRAYED NWFP MUSLIMS. AND ESPECIALLY HIS FRIEND KHAN ABDUL GAFFAR KHAN, AND YOU TELL TODAY THAT PEOPLE MISUNDERSTOOD HIM.. SAD TO KNOW??

are u a actress, nandini

Where, in your opinion, does Kashmir belong? In India or in Pakistan?

Were the British overwhelmed by the idea of a united Indian subcontinent? Is that why the Partition took place?

Were the British overwhelmed by the idea of a united Indian subcontinent? Is that why the Partition took place?

Personally speaking, which Indian leader did you like the most? Why?

Agnivesh: I like them all. They were a collection of men of outstanding calibre and speaking historically, India and Pakistan were fortunate that they were all in one place at one time. But in my view, at the critical level, the two key men were Sardar Patel and Jinnah.

Akhtar: Srikant has exited the Chat. You obviously don't know your history -- and it is quite obvious that Urdu is your first language. Anyway, I believe Urdu has entered the realms of the Internet, so I suggest you take your bigoted views there. Yes, Gandhi was friendly with the Birlas and the Bajajs, but he was also friendly with many thousands who were truly the wretched of the earth. What about that? Yes, he said Partition was over his dead body. We all know why he died. Because bigots like you killed him thinking he had sold India to the Muslims. He was sidelined in his lifetime because people like Nehru found him inconvenient. Yes, he changed his views constantly. He made no apologies for that. I believe the likes of Gandhi will never be seen again!

Last two questions, please.

Why do you place so much importance on Sardar Patel and Jinnah?

Akhtar: It is obvious that you have a skimpy knowledge of Indian hisotory. There was nothing wrong in his withdrawing the non-coop in 1921. Had it gone on, there would been blodshed.

i think that if Gandhiji was alive today and witnessed all the corruption and scandals going on in India and Pakistan, he could have just changed his ideas about freedom from the british, what say

If you had to change one thing in those hectic events of 1947, what would you change and how would you do it?

Thank you, Sir, for your kindness. Good night!

Alan: What is the reason that Indians even after 50 years of Independence are not able to kick out your Macualay system of education? Till today your so called english educated class is ruling India? I feel the independence which Gandhi dreamt of is still a far distant? India where people live together peacefully, a self sufficient village economy, and not having your Brits coke and potato chips? I don't know when our country will be economically independent? A dream which has not been fulfilled even afte 50 years of independence??

sir, great pleasure to have you with us and for the views you haev expressed, have a nice day and may you be back to chat

Many thanks, Mr Campbell-Johnson, for sharing your views. Good night!

Thank you Mr Johnson, it was a pleasure being able to chat with you.

One last question: What was your most enduring memory of 1947?

Atul: If we could have had the opportunity of temporary constitutional responsiblity for Pakistan as well as India, it would have been most welcome. But it just wasn't possible, and I regret the lost opportunity.

MR CampbelL, Just one question, would it have been better for India to be still ruled by the British?

Sir, I cannot understand your last response. Please clarify!

Could you please clarify your last answer, sir?

Could you please clarify your last answer, sir?

May I say that I enjoyed the opportunity to discussing these very great events with you all, and I am pleased to have this first opportunity through the Internet. It seems a very long time ago, and indeed, the transfer of power, was the last great world event pre-television. If television and the Internet had been around at that time, I would have needed a much bigger staff than just my and my secretary. So all is for the best at the time when it happens.

Thank you, Sir. Good night!