Delhi – All India Radio Headquarters – 21st March 1948
The decision to address the nation personally, and so soon after the sweeping administrative reforms was a calculated gamble.
Arjun knew that the whispers from South Block, however tightly controlled, would inevitably bleed into the streets. The changes he was enacting—dismantling centuries of land tenure, redrawing internal borders—were revolutionary, designed for speed and totality.
Such upheaval, however strategically necessary, carried the immense risk of widespread confusion, panic, and, potentially, violent backlash from those whose power or way of life was being irrevocably altered.
He stood before the microphones at All India Radio, the same studio from which he had delivered the grim news of the assassinations and the triumphant declaration of victory.
Today, his voice would carry a different message: one of reassurance, of a firm hand guiding a nation through unprecedented transformation. His usual sharp attire was softened by a carefully chosen, slightly more informal, khadi jacket, a subtle visual cue of approachability.
"My fellow citizens of Bharat," Arjun began, his voice calm, steady, resonating with the quiet authority that had come to define his premiership. It was not the soaring rhetoric of a politician, but the measured, reassuring tone of a leader speaking directly to a vast, anxious family.
"Today, I speak to you not from the battlefield, where our brave soldiers secured our frontiers, nor from the diplomatic chambers, where our voice now resounds among the world's greatest powers. I speak to you from the heart of our nation, about the very ground beneath our feet, and the future we are building, together."
He paused, letting the words settle, then moved directly to the most impactful changes, framing them in terms of justice and national progress.
"For too long, the true wealth of our soil, the very sustenance of our people, has been held hostage by the outdated systems.
Millions of our hardworking farmers have tilled land that was never truly their own, living at the mercy of intermediaries, of Zamindars, of absentee landlords.
This injustice, born from ancient privilege and colonial manipulation, has held our nation back, preventing the true prosperity that is the birthright of every Indian."
His voice gained conviction. "But that ends today. The Government of India, in its unwavering commitment to justice and national progress, declares that the Zamindari system, and all similar intermediary land tenures, are hereby abolished.
All land, beyond what is necessary for individual cultivation, will be acquired by the state and redistributed to those who truly work the soil – to the landless, to the sharecroppers, to the tenant farmers. This is not a punitive measure; it is an act of liberation.
It is to ensure that the wealth of India truly belongs to the hands that toil for it, transforming our agricultural backbone into a vibrant, productive foundation for our industrial future."
He knew that this announcement, although framed in terms of justice, would trigger immense anxiety among landowners, and confusion among the peasantry. He addressed it immediately, proactively confronting the panic he anticipated.
"I understand that change, even just change, can bring questions. To some, these sweeping reforms may seem sudden, even unsettling. There will be concerns, there will be queries, there will be moments of uncertainty as we implement this historic transformation."
His voice was laced with a deliberate empathy, a carefully modulated blend of understanding and firm resolve.
"To any citizen who feels confused, to any farmer who has questions about their land, and to any individual who is uncertain about their place in this new order – I ask you, no, I urge you, do not be scared. Do not listen to rumors.
And finally, do not fall prey to malicious gossip spread by those who seek to sow discord for their own selfish interests. Your government is here to guide you. We are here to protect you."
He leaned closer to the microphone, his voice resonating with a paternal reassurance.
"From this very moment, every police station across our vast nation, from the smallest rural outpost to the largest city precinct, will serve as a direct point of contact for every citizen regarding these reforms.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, under Sardar Patel's unwavering leadership, has ensured that every police officer, every local official, every administrator in charge of land records, has been fully briefed and equipped with precise answers to your queries.
They possess the complete details of the redistribution process, the new regulations, and your rights under this historic change. Go to them. They are there to serve you. They are there to clarify and to reassure.
Of course, Home Ministry would be personally involved at the ground level too, so you can rest assured."
He then smoothly transitioned to the equally profound changes in administrative geography.
"Concurrently, we are embarking on a vital reorganization of our internal administrative divisions. For too long, our provincial boundaries, inherited from colonial convenience, have fragmented our people and hindered efficient governance.
To foster greater unity and to align administration with the cultural and economic realities of our diverse nation, we will begin the process of reorganizing states along more rational lines, primarily linguistic, but always with a paramount focus on national efficiency and steadfast public welfare."
He spoke of the benefits: more cohesive administration, governance brought closer to the people, and the elimination of outdated, illogical divisions.
"This too, will bring questions," he admitted. "But like the land reforms, this process will be meticulously planned and centrally guided. Any confusion, any concerns, can similarly be addressed at your nearest police station or administrative office. We ask you to trust your government. And similarity, trust the process."
He then painted a broader picture, connecting these radical internal changes to India's new global standing.
"These reforms, bold and sweeping as they are, are not acts of impulsive change. They are essential components of our grand strategy to build a truly self-reliant, prosperous, and secure India.
A nation that can fulfill the promise we have made to the world: a vibrant, functioning democracy, a responsible global power, ready to stand as a beacon of stability and progress in Asia."
He concluded, his voice swelling with patriotic fervor. "I know that change is never easy, but change, when guided by clear vision and strong will, is the engine of progress. Do not fear the new dawn, my countrymen. Embrace it.
The Government of India walks with you, every step of the way. Let's build this new Bharat, together. For generations to come. Jai Hind!"
As the broadcast ended, a comfortable silence quiet descended upon the studio.
Arjun Mehra had just unleashed a tidal wave of social and political transformation, and simultaneously offered a helping hand of reassurance.
All this using the police stations, which are a traditional symbol of state power and local authority, serving as his primary point of contact for managing national upheaval.
Of course, IB will be watching everything from the shadows as well.
The nation was about to witness a period of unprecedented change, and Arjun was determined that, through careful control and overwhelming force if necessary, it would move precisely to his grand, unyielding rhythm.
[A/N: This chapter is bit short, mainly because it focuses on his speech and address to the nation]