Page 287 - Communication Processes Volume 3 Communication Culture and Confrontation

262 Shashi Bhushan Upadhyay

the colonial rule, it may be due to author’s constraints of not annoying
the authorities. At the same time, possibly inadvertently, it is also
reflective of the compulsion of a zamindar family whose existence is
largely based on the mercy of the colonial rulers.
In the village Surdas wages a determined struggle against the
acquisition of his land. John Sevak solicits the support of Mahendra
Kumar and other authorities through various stratagems and finally
succeeds in acquiring the land. Surdas, on his part, fights against it by
roaming the streets of the city singing and telling the people of Banaras
the tale of this injustice. Sophia, an admirer of Surdas, convinces the
district magistrate Clarke, an Englishman, who is in turn interested in
her, to revert this decision. Clarke’s decision is construed as an insult
to the Indians by Mahendra Kumar and others of the Indian ruling
groups. They campaign against Clarke through the press and through
representations to the higher authorities and finally succeed in getting
him transferred to a princely state. They ultimately also manage to get
Clarke’s decision rescinded and Surdas’ land is given to John Sevak
who starts building his factory.
The progress of construction and the eventual operation realizes
the worst fears of Surdas. His earlier statements prove to be pro-
phetic. The outside workers start living in the village and rent houses
there; the inhabitants turn greedy—some join as workers and some start
keeping workers in their houses. Once the factory starts functioning,
the problem of providing suitable accommodation to workers crops
up. Now John Sevak decides to outright acquire the village in order
to turn it into housing barracks. The initial resistance of the villagers
is overcome by the alternate use of enticement and threats. Almost
all the villagers, except Surdas, accept the compensation offered by
the authorities. Surdas, however, stands his ground and refuses to
vacate his parental abode. Now the villagers realize their mistake of
succumbing to force and temptation. They rally behind Surdas in his
struggle; many others from the city and the surrounding areas also
come to support them. The authorities call in the military and try to
forcibly take possession of the village. The crowds turn restive and
Surdas tries to pacify them. He is shot in the process by the same
district magistrate, Clarke, who was earlier instrumental in giving back
his land and is now back from his posting in the princely state. Surdas
dies a few days later, triumphant in his defeat and with a legacy of new
resolve for those who are left behind.