Jail Journal

Jail Diary of BP Koirala

• July 9, 1968:

  Feeling very lonely all day long. India Radio announced the release of Tulsi Giri who had been arrested about some 80 days ago, but did not mention anything about the three comrades who left this camp yesterday - perhaps they have not been released otherwise the India radio would have mentioned it. May be they were released very late at night yesterday; the newsmen consequently missed it. GM and I discussed all the possibilities. GM feels that the King would now see us and discuss the political development with us. The release of three men from here was a prelude to a politic talk with us. I am not so sure - although I am sure that they have been released but I am not sure that it is preparatory for a talk with us. I agree with GM that the King would now institute some kind of "National Government." As a matter of fact, I have been holding this view since a long time. When the time comes for the King to bring people into the Government he would like to dilute our influence by associating with it all kinds of diverse elements, like K.I. Singh (Dr. Kunwar Inderjit Singh), Tanka Prasad (Tanka Prasad Acharya) etc - may be even Tulsi Giri, whom I have always considered to be King's man. Giri was released so soon after his arrest on grounds of anti-national activities vindicates my point of view that Giri is an instrument of the palace.



• July 10, 1968:

  Two interesting items of news in today's papers: I. Dainik Nepal mentions referring to some authentic source that K.P. Yogendraman and Divan have been transferred to the Nakhu jail. We had never expected that they would be taken to Nakhu. We are intrigued. The Government should have had first ascertained from them (before they were taken out from here) whether there was any chance of their signing some kind of undertaking papers. From their general attitude the Government should not have expected that they had been morally weakened as a result of seven years and half imprisonment and hence would be amenable to pressure. If anything, the long detention has morally strengthened us. Sometimes a thought occurs to me that may be we are being isolated here for some political purpose for some kind of negotiation with us to be conducted with extreme secrecy. May be, therefore, the transfer of three of the comrades from here is a prelude to relaxation in the condition of imprisonment, although presently it has meant some kind of solitary confinement for us (now we are only two in this prison). 2. The Statesman (8th July) carries a statement from Subarnaji saying "let there be no doubt that we are not pardon seekers but Nepalese patriots who have always served their country well and shall continue to fight and die for their country. It is a refreshing statement - the only streak of light in the general gloom of despondency, sycophancy and chicanery. It has also served as a reply to those who felt that Nepali Congress offer of cooperation to the King was an abject surrender (GM held this view as against mine that the offer of cooperation is not a surrender). It has also served a notice to the Government that it should not expect from NC any further concession. Yesterday, PM Thapa (Surya Bahadur Thapa) made a statement which through its vagueness could be interpreted as a veiled demand that NC workers now living in exile in India must seek pardon individually. Today's paper also carried the sadness of the Yogendra Man's father. He died of heart failure yesterday morning. I had seen him on the last interview day and had found him so emaciated and off-colour that I could not recognize him. He had been suffering from high blood pressure. High blood pressure seems to run in Sherchand's family. Yogendra Man used to be very much conscious of this fact and get his blood pressure checked every time a doctor visited the camp. Today he must be very sad in the new prison where he had yet no time to settle down to the new rhythm of life.



• July 17, 1968:

  Interview day: Mother, TP, Rosa and Girija came to see me. Bunu had just arrived in Kathmandu hence had not found time to seek permission from AM to see me. I exchanged greetings with her across the gate; her children were also there - Tara and Bhai. Tara looked weak having just come out of illness. Bhai looked alright. Kaplana has also come from Lahore with them.

  Mother, though, thin and emaciated, was in good spirit. She said that she had an experience of physical collapse and sinking, she had found that death was not dreadful. She had an experience of peace and bliss when every one felt that she was dying and she herself was conscious of sinking into peaceful death. She had a vision, saw the light which mystics and her colleagues in the Radhaswami sect say is the vision of the Ultimate Being. It was a vision of great brightness which also filled her with peace and bliss. Mother will stay here for two or three months. Bunu has also come here for a long stay.

  About my health my people seem to be in extra worry. The report on the growth of my intestine was sent to the doctors in Calcutta, Bombay and Patna. The unanimous opinion of them all was that the growth being located on an unusual place, it might not be benign turnover - hence its immediate removal is urgently called for. Girija has written to HM (His Majesty). TP thinks that in case I am released on medical grounds I will have to go UK or USA for operation. As a matter of fact arrangements have already been made, hoping that I would be released soon.

  I have a fear that the Government knowing the anxiety of my people would offer to release me on parole. To accept to be released on parole would entail some kind of an undertaking that during my freedom on parole I would not indulge in politics. I am not prepared to give any kind of undertaking, direct or implied but the Government's offer, if it comes to my people, would be extremely difficult to reject in view of the nature of my illness.