Dear Bapu, on 30th January, sixty two years ago you received bullets as a return gift. It was in return for the gift of non violence that you had given to the humanity. But Bapu it was sixty two years before. Now the situation has changed.
Last month I had been to Delhi. I thought that I should meet you in person. So I came to Rajghat, your official residence. I was turned away from the gates for security reasons. Well, I didn’t get to meet you, but I am happy that you are safe.
When I came to Rajghat, I was told that the public will not be allowed to enter the Rajghat premises, since some foreign VVIP was to come for your darshan the next day. Hence twenty four hours before his visit, for security reasons the public was banned entry. It is said that the security was for the benefit of the foreign visitor. Maybe, but I have my doubts.
I have solid reasons for my doubt. Last time you managed to give slip to the security and made a public appearance in ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’. Your appearance was inspiring for many youngsters. Good that Sanjubaba’s case diverted the public attention, otherwise there would have been converts to your philosophy of peace and non violence.
Bapu, tell me frankly, is it possible to survive in today’s world with peace and non violence? These weapons are effective, but take too much time to yield results. Who has time? Isn’t it easier to give supari and remove the root cause? There are other effective methods like bribing, kidnapping and what not to get the work done. So why waste time in non violent agitations and fasts!
You know Bapu, you will be proud of us because we use your weapon of Hadtal very often and we close all the establishments, burn vehicles, break the glasses of public transport and bring the public life to complete standstill. I know, your Hadtal used to be peaceful. But we have to change according to the times. Hope you understand our difficulty.
But Bapu, we might be changing your philosophy little bit here or there, but that does not mean that we have forgotten you. No! No! Bapu. We remember you very much. We observe 2nd October and 30th January very faithfully. All the speeches are full of your Message of Peace, Nonviolence, Social Justice, Equality,
Human Rights, Courage, Compassion, Commitment and Integrity. We also have a holiday on 2nd October. After paying respect to you we all enjoy the holiday to the fullest complete with booze and all. And if 2nd October comes on a Friday or Monday that is double bonus because it means complete three days holidays. You would also be happy to see your children happy. After all, you are our Rashtrapita.
Any way Bapu, as I said earlier I am happy that you are safe. The day I was standing at the Rajghat gates amidst the disappointed public who had come from far off places to have your darshan, I think I saw you peeping out of the bushes. Your eyes were twinkling behind your glasses. You were thinking, maybe you could not meet all the general public face to face. But you knew that you were living in their hearts. Safest place to live! Right, Bapu?
So I am happy that you are safe. Safe in our few hearts! Till the situation for your comeback arises we will keep you safe in our hearts. Bapu, you are safe!!

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