Misinterpretation of historical facts is not uncommon. But when that misinterpretation is repeatedly placed as historical fact, it leads to intentional misinformation.
A continual repetition of intentional misinformation by stakeholders works so hard on the public psyche that they begin to believe it to be true, what psychologists in recent times call the ‘illusion of truth’ effect.
In contemporary Indian history, even a high-ranking leader like India’s first prime minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who had the distinction of being revered not only for his political skill and global diplomacy, but also as a philosopher and a man of letters, did not escaped the scalpel of historical smear through willful misinterpretation and repeated misinformation.
Pandit Nehru became the victim of a historical distortion early on in connection with a speech made with particular reference to the people of Assam during the 1962 Chinese aggression.
Whenever there is a reference to Chinese aggression in 1962, China’s foray into Bomdila in the former NEFA (Northeast Border Agency), and the danger that had loomed in Tezpur, we inevitably come across comments about how it ‘hurt’ and ‘betrayed’ the people of Assam had felt upon hearing Pandit Nehru’s speech. The speech was broadcast live on All India Radio on November 20, 1962.
Historical books, biographies and newspaper articles on the Chinese aggression, along with Google searches on the subject, will reveal quotes from rival politicians. Even netizens don’t hesitate to attack Nehru’s statement, “My heart goes out to the people of Assam right now.” This was interpreted as that Nehru had “abandoned” Assam at the mercy of the Chinese.
This narrative of “abandonment” is repeated by political opponents as if it were historical fact even now.
Assuming critics of the speech are well versed in the use of the phrase in the English language, it would not be wrong to say that the repeated quote “my heart goes out to the people of Assam at this hour” has been chosen intentionally. from the larger context of Nehru’s speech to create mischief and discredit him.
A study of the speech reveals an expression of grave concern and a strong will to fight and not give up under any circumstances.
Jawaharlal Nehru interacting with Army personnel at NEFA in 1962. Credit: Photography Division, GOI
Despite initial setbacks on the Indian front, Nehru “vowed” to “have victory”, did not surrender or “tolerate” such a foreign incursion. He said:
“We are not going to tolerate this kind of invasion of India by any foreign country. This is the first war of independent India that maintains its independence and India is not going to lose this war no matter how long it lasts and how much damage it may do to us in the meantime. Therefore, on this day that has been a sad day for us in bringing news of setbacks and setbacks, I want to send my regards to the people of Assam especially and the people of NEFA and the rest of India and tell them that we should not worry. For this, we must necessarily be sad, but we must train and strengthen ourselves to face all these setbacks and even to make our determination even stronger to do all we can to repel and drive the invader from India.
“We will not be happy until the invader leaves India or is expelled. We will not accept any terms you can offer us because you may think that we are a little scared by some setbacks. I want to make it clear to all of you and most especially to our compatriots in Assam, for whom our hearts are at this moment. “
It is obvious from these words what Nehru meant. These were the words of a leader who had the determination to fight the invader. He also wishes to express compassion for those who had to face this sudden challenge on the ground level.
Pandit Nehru was the prime minister of a young democratic country that had a long way to go to achieve its goal of becoming self-sufficient. Understandably, he would like to have good relations with the neighboring countries of India. Nehru had seen China as a “friendly” country. He had no reason not to believe China’s claim to be anti-imperialist.
Thus, he had felt betrayed and outraged by this sudden foray. He made no bones about this unjustified aggression from a neighboring country and said:
“We see the most aggressive form of imperialism operating across our borders in India. China has said quite often that it is anti-imperialist, now we see this so-called anti-imperialist country turn itself into an imperialist of the worst class and commit aggressions and invade a friendly country without rhyme or reason or excuse and justify it by saying that they are being attacked.
“I must confess that I have rarely encountered such a parody of the truth, I do not have the decency of international behavior, we must defend it and not only we, but all decent-minded people and countries who value their freedom anywhere in Asia or Africa or Europe or America “.
Nehru did not hesitate to seek international support at this critical juncture and expressed his gratitude to those who reached out:
“I would like to say that we are grateful for the quick help that reached us from our friendly countries abroad, most especially from the United States and the United Kingdom. We will need more help and we have asked them for it and we will certainly use whatever help they can give us because it is a matter of survival for us.
“It is not a game that we are playing or, if you like it, it is a game of life and death, the life and death of a nation and the life and death of millions in this country. And we go forward, whatever happens with the firm conviction of the righteousness of our cause and that success and victory will be ours. I want you to join this conviction and not be discouraged at any time ”.
He viewed Chinese aggression as a threat not only to the integrity of India, but also as an attack on all independent nations. Therefore, he ended his speech by saying that he would keep the people of India aware of what was happening frequently in order to “mobilize the nation to confront this grave threat as this threat is not only in Assam or Ladakh or In India alone, it is a threat to Asia and a threat to the entire world. So let’s all say today with true meaning and repeat our old cry, ‘Jai Hind.’
Jawaharlal Nehru. Photo: Wikimedia Commons, public domain
Nowhere in the speech do we perceive a hint of Assam’s “surrender” or “abandonment” to the Chinese. Critics of the speech may find it interesting to note that Nehru’s daughter Indira Gandhi, who had been chair of the All India Congressional Committee between 1959 and 1960, flew to Tezpur in November 1962 to take stock of the situation.
Gandhi arrived in the city of Tezpur with rations and supplies for the inhabitants of the Indian Red Cross. Katherine Frank in her biography of Indira Gandhi mentions: “Indira returned to Delhi for exactly eight hours, showing ‘a burning confidence because the people of the tribe had refused to leave Tezpur’. He made a short radio broadcast, refilled the plane with supplies and returned to Assam for another 48 hours. “
Almost immediately after their arrival in Assam, the Chinese decided “unexpectedly” to announce a unilateral ceasefire and began to withdraw their troops.
The deliberate misinterpretation of events and the repetition of misinformation were propaganda tools that Joseph Goebbels used with glorious results. Nazi Germany’s Propaganda Minister, Goebbels’ famous quote, “If you tell a big enough lie and keep repeating it, people will eventually believe it,” said it all.
A version of the article appeared in Assam Tribune on November 13, 2020. All India Radio’s Tapan Datta provided Nehru’s speech to the author.
Bobbeeta Sharma is the secretary general and spokesperson for the Assam Pradesh Congressional Committee.
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