Brij Mohan Kaul - The untold story

Kaul, B. M

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Acknowledgements

My grateful acknowledgements are due to Primula Pandit for strengthening my resolve to write this book, to K. P. Mushran and P. K. Shungloo for precious guidance, to Mani Badshah, Devi Dutt and Gyani Sapru for valuable help, to Asha Chandra for typing portions of this book, to Chunno and Kamni for checking the script, to my brother Shyam Kumar Kaul for his dedicated assistance, to Rajinder Puri for the way in which he identified himself with the aims of this book and to many other friends in different walks of life at varying levels who verified the veracity of my facts.

Preface

Destiny is not always kind. Many great statesmen, soldiers and saints have been its victims and their worth ridiculed. Though I have no pretensions to greatness, I have also been through a similar experience and, like some of them, am writing an account of my life to portray in what background and under what influences I have grown up and what part I have played in the service of my country.

Much has been said to my discredit and about certain situations publicly in the last few years whereas I have remained unheard. A balanced evaluation has, therefore, not resulted. This book, I hope, will enable the reader to see to what extent Ior othersare answerable for some happenings.

During the pre-Independence period, there were two types of officers in the army: a few who supported our struggle for freedom and the many who %^ere either hostile or apathetic to this upsurge. The latten to keep themselves well in with the British, derided my*nationalistic outlook and my admiration for Nehru and our other great leaders. These staunch supporters of the British Raj, when India became independent in 1947, felt greatly

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PREFACE

embarrassed but being worshippers of the rising sun, they dexterously switched their loyalties, overnight, to the new leaders of India at whom they had scoffed not long ago. They had, all the same, an uneasy conscience due to their role in the British times and felt unsafe in Free India. They, therefore, did not look without dismay, upon the access given to me by many of our national leaders, specially Nehru, after they came into power. I suppose they did so perhaps because I had identified myself with them during difficult and fateful days (whereas these turn-coats had kept away from them) and also because they must have had enough reasons to seek my occasional advice. This situation was not of my making but was the result of historical circumstances. I became an anathema to these men, specially as I progressed in life, who, due to jealousy, embarked upon a wide-spread campaign of gossip, whispering, and vilification against me on every possible occasion among their influential friends in the cross-section of our society all over India and even abroad. They exploited many situations towards this end and were, by their systematic and sustained efforts, largely successful in creating a feeling in many quarters as if I was going up in life through political influence, without merit and the requisite qualifications.

I was selected for positions of responsibility, from time to time, only after due application by Government of the prescribed yardsticks for such selections both in the preand post-Independence eras. At no stage was any relaxation of qualifications or experience made in my favour. I got many opportunities at various stages of my career to serve undef some exceptional personalities and amidst notable events. During this period I went through many interesting^ and hazardous situations which brought me into some lime-light. As is usual in human affairs and in such situations, I aroused the wrath of my rivals who did all they could to denigrate me. Though I was not allowed

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by Government to defend myself publicly, when I was being fiercely denounced in certain circles from time to time, Nehru took up the cudgels on my behalf more than once in Parliament and whilst addressing some press conferences. It was however said by my critics that Nehru was only covering me up. I tolerated this iniquity for quite some time but a stage was reached when I decided, as I have narrated in the book, to give up my military career prematurely.

Even after I retired from service, my detractors continued their vendetta against me. I then wrote to Nehru from whom I received the following reply on 28 September

1 have ]ust received your letter of the 26th September. I quite understand your feelings in the matter and I agree with you that at a suitable opportunity you should clear up the misunderstandings that mighi cxiM abo\Jt you. You must realise that at the present moment the attack is not so much on you, but much more so on V. R. Krishna Menon and to some extent on me. It is after all 1 that come in the way of many peoples wishes and ambitions. You and Krishna Menon are utilised to attack me. We shall try* to deal with this matter as seems to me proper When the suitable time comes, you can put some facts as you think necessary before the public It seems to me that in the present mood, any such statement by ytm would not be of much help.

In deference to Nehrus advice, I have nothing publicly until now. But as I continue being maligned, even after Nehrus death, I think suitable time has come for me to put certain facts before the public. I have taken three years to write this book in which I have discussed many men and matters frankly. vSomc facts I have stated here may be unpalatable. But truth must be told.

Contents

Acknowicdgctnents vii Preface ix The Prelude 3 The Transition 59 The Many Parts 8i The Preparation 175 The Luck of the Draw 353 The Play is not Done 471 The Epilogue 495 Index 499