of Total Revolution. They felt that JP was right, and that they were vindicated. People elected the Janata Party to power. Indira Gandhi was totally routed in the general election of 1977. Humiliation was heaped on Vinoba. He remained steadfast in his views. He showed no bitterness. His love for JP, and JP’s love for him remained unchanged.
Within 28 months, the Janata Party could not survive in power. In the 1980 election, Indira Gandhi came back to Power. Vinoba after his year of silence explained that what he meant by Anushasan (discipline) was the anushasan decided by Acharyakul. This he had described in detail earlier in his concept of Acharya Kula. The Acharyas who are non-partisan, not interested in political power but in social welfare should decide the rules of discipline and the government should only implement them. This he had described in detail earlier in his concept of Acharya Kula in 1968.
A man who shunned politics all his life, who advised against politics was dragged into party politics by clever politicians, His name was misused, but he remained steadfast. The words “Anushasan parva” and “Sarkari Sant” became popular epithets to descibe Vinoba. Sadly it all turned meaningless. JP died with remorse for the exploitation of the idea of Total Revolution. Politicians were interested in power: total revolution and JP were tools in their hands.
Politicians also used JP for partisan ends and dumped his advice once they were in power. People’s power turned sour. It all happened in just three years. JP died as a disheartened man. Like Gandhi, he was killed, though metaphorically, by his followers.
Vinoba, inspite of much vilification, remained aloof and effective till the end. He did not get into politics, though many of his followers ditched him during emergency. He remained Vinoba till the end. .
With love, Yours,
L.N. Godbole
78 �
