PREMCHAND’S PANCH PARMESHWAR

 

 

Premchand  ( 31 July 1980 - 08 Oct 1936)

 

The Preamble to our constitution states four foundations or pillars on which our Republic and democracy is based – Justice , Liberty , Equality and Fraternity . All are equally important and the State and the Citizens have to jointly and continually work to achieve these, to refine these , to resolve contradictions. The concept of ‘Justice’ which is the key to success of any society and ensures all the other three principles- Equality, Liberty and Fraternity. We witness large number of people seeking justice in the various Courts in India where there is insurmountable pendency. In such an atmosphere it is people who have to resolve their differences themselves by arbitration , conciliation , reconciliation and negotiation . We need not necessarily know the intricacies of jurisprudence because all responsible citizens have an inherent and intrinsic sense of fairness and fair play . It is experienced that people in rural areas and villages have a sound sense of Justice and traditional village Panchayats are testimonies . A sense of justice may not be restricted to Law alone but in society too we are expected to be fair to each other. It is famously said that ‘Laws do not make people virtuous’.    

 And yet;  at the individual level we are imperfect in varying degrees. It is indeed normal as far as it does not result in conflict  and violence. Certain contradictions, competitiveness are acceptable and understandable. However we all wear a veneer of sophistication but underneath we are different- parochial, suffering from stereotype,   bearing prejudicial leanings toward our institutions, regions etc.

   In order to communicate better and provide a perspective I narrate hear a story of  ‘Premchand’ to whom I lean to for solace  from time to time ,if not for  solutions.

The story is titled ‘Panch Parmeshwar’ and was written  in  Urdu  in  1916  and published in ‘ Zamana’ newspaper from Kanpur. It was published as book in 1920. It is a story of two friends- Jumman Sheikh and Algu Chowdhary. They were childhood friends and Algu was indebted to Jumman’s father as he was his teacher and made him proficient in drafting of applications and other legal documents. Algu had also served his master well and gave him respect and looked after his personal needs. Jumman had in his family his old Aunt ( Khala ) who had some property in the village. As she was old and being looked after by Jumman she gifted the land to Jumman and a registry of the same was made. Soon after the gifting the attitude of Jumman and his wife changed toward her , they were not only careless in providing her basic needs but were also rude to her. When it became intolerable for the old lady she  confronted Jumman and asked for a monthly allowance to sustain herself, which Jumman refused stating that she was being taken care of and that there was no earning from the land which she gifted to him. This compelled the old lady to call for a  village  Panchayat.  She requested many people  to participate but some declined as they did not want to antagonise Jumman and some were obliged to his father, but there were few who were jealous of him and looked at this as an opportunity to settle scores. When  Algu was approached to attend the Panchayat he said that he would not like to participate owing to his relationship with Jumman , to which the old lady said that as ‘Panch’ one should listen to the voice of one’s conscience and be honest. Well; one evening when the sun was about to set the village people assembled under a tree  to decide the case . When the time came to nominate the ‘Sarpanch’ Jumman was asked to give a name ,he looked around and found that large number were those who did not like him and so said that he does not have a choice and would accept whosoever his Aunt nominates. At this the Aunt announced Algu Chowdhary to be the Sarpanch, this surprised all as they knew that the two were good friends, Jumman was happiest. Well, Algu Chowdhary occupied the seat and commenced the proceedings. He ascertained the details from both parties , whilst discussing the case he realized that this was a hallowed chair he was holding on trust of people and should do justice. He decided that Jumman was not fair to his Aunt and that he would have to give her monetary monthly allowance to sustain. This came as shock to all who  were expecting a different outcome. Jumman was furious and their friendship soured. Things moved on and time went by but Jumman carried the grudge and looked for revenge. In order to supplement his farm Algu purchased from the nearby fare  two oxen to plough his field. They were of superior breed and had long horns, people from nearby village would gather to admire the two. One day one of the two fell sick and in matter of days passed away. Algu was heart broken and decided to sell off the second bull to Sahu the local trader. Sahu was happy to posses a hardy animal to pull his cart. The deal was that Sahu would pay in instalments as he earns money by taking goods from village to town and bringing items to village for sale. Sahu was a greedy trader and he would employ the ox much beyond the normal routine ,the diet also was reduced compared to the earlier days when the ox would get the wholesome meal at Algu’s home and was treated well with love and care. Here the sole aim of the trader was to exploit the animal and multiply gains in short time. Gradually it started showing on the health of the ox and one day it just  collapsed on the road and died. Sahu had to spend the night howling on the lonely road and when he fell asleep in the wee hours his earnings too were stolen.

 On the sudden death of the ox  Sahu decided to inform Algu that since the ox was no good and died he would not be paying the balance amount. This was not acceptable to Algu  because  he had handed over a healthy animal and had sold him as his partner passed away, therefore in order to settle the dispute a Panchayat was called and   Jumman was nominated as Sarpanch, the people expected  that Jumman would settle the score. On arrival at the venue Jumman too was in revengeful mood. However as he settled to take the responsibility his thoughts changed he asked himself that this was a coveted nomination and despite his relationship with Algu which was strained he should be fair as God resides in the heart of the ‘sarpanch’ and it was not  he but the voice of God which pronounces the outcome. The ‘Panch ‘ ( five people)listened to the case much of it they were already aware and decided that Sahu was liable to pay the balance amount as Algu had given a healthy animal but it was Sahu who misused it and did not maintain it. The assembly erupted in jubilation as they acknowledged the sincerity of the ‘Panch’, and shoted”sarpanch ki jai…’. Algu was stunned in disbelief and tears started flowing from his eyes ,he approached Jumman and both embraced each other ;their friendship was restored.

    The above story conveys that even in the remotest corner and neglected places  there may be a sign of hope . The old lady talks of ‘Imaan’ that is truthfulness and honesty which is not the domain of the  select few  but shines brightly in quiet corners as well.  Fairness and balance are key ,there were two judgements made in the story, one by a friend  and the other by a friend turned foe, but both the judgements were fair. Swami Vivekanand has said that ‘Every Man is Potential God’ and there is a famous book of Tolstoy titled ‘The Kingdom of God is within You’ .

We achieve Godliness when we are ‘Fair’ to our fellow citizens! We indeed attain the Kingdom of God ! ‘Ram Rajya’ !