Page 61 - Gujar Mal Modi

would take at least ten years to decide and that this period would be sufficient to

damage the established reputation of the firm. Secondly, in the prevailing con-
ditions then, no judge would be prepared to exonerate even an innocent capita

list for fear that he might be accused of having accepted bribes. The Home Min-
ister explained that while the Government shared the views of Mr. Modi, they

were helpless. They knew that the case was baseless, but they were not prepared
to order its withdrawal for the simple reason that they, too, might be accused.

Mr. Modi was told that in the prevailing atmosphere even persons in high offices
who were under constant public gaze could not withdraw the case.

Ultimately, Mr. Modi took the matter to the Union Cabinet. The Cabinet sought

the opinion of the Advocate General, the Attorney General, and the Minister for
Law. On the strength of their advice and also after a thorough examination of

the case, the Government finally came to the conclusion that the case against
the Modis was false and that no prosecution should be launched in the matter.

In 1952 the Government at the Centre decided to implement its programme of
abolition of Zamindari. This historic step towards reform in the field of agricul-

ture was announced on 1st July 1952. It was at that time that the Prime Minister

Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru paid a second visit to Modinagar. Mr. Nehru had visited
Modinagar in his capacity as a leader of the National Movement in the country

and now he was visiting the town in his capacity as the Prime Minister of inde-
pendent India. Mr. Nehru was accorded a rousing reception by Mr. Modi and

the people of the town. A mammoth gathering including students, workers and
farmers from the surrounding villages braved heavy rain to listen to the speech

of their beloved Prime Minister in the spacious lawns of the college at Modinagar.

When the public meeting was over. Mr. Modi requested Mr. Nehru to accept his

invitation for a cup of tea at his residence. The members of the District Congress
Committee were against accepting this type of invitation from a capitalist. Mr.

Modi explained that in the past also Mr. Nehru had honoured him by accept-
ing his courtesy and there was no reason why a similar opportunity should be

denied to him this time. Mr. Nehru was listening to the discussions on this issue
between Mr. Modi and the Congress leaders. He turned to Mr. Modi with a smile

and said, “If you want to invite Jawaharlal Nehru, and not the Prime Minister, I will

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