PROTECTORS OF HONOUR
It was evening. The Sun God was preparing to go to the west. The shadows of the trees were getting longer. In such a situation, a cyclist was riding his bicycle on the trail going to Chandanpur. Perhaps he wanted to reach Chandanpur before it got dark.
That cyclist was none other than Rajaram, the Gram Panchayat Secretary of Chandanpur village. Rajaram was returning from the block. Apart from Chandanpur, there were five-six more villages in his area. Rajaram was a very clever person. He had earned lakhs of rupees in his six-seven years of service.
Ever since the Jawahar Rozgar Yojana had started, Rajaram had become very rich. He had done a lot of fraud with the money received for this scheme by colluding with the Sarpanchs of the area. Most of the construction was done only on paper. He had embezzled lakhs of rupees in this scheme by colluding with the Sarpanchs. He had been careful to give equal share to every Sarpanch.
For the past few days, complaints were being received against him from some areas, and today he was going to Chandanpur in this connection.
The sun had now completely set. When Rajaram entered the village, darkness had spread all around. Hearing the rattling sound of Rajaram's bicycle, the dogs of the village started barking loudly. Some dogs even pounced on the bicycle. Rajaram got down from the bicycle. Somehow he saved himself from the dogs and started walking towards the Sarpanch's Chaupal, dragging the bicycle on foot.
The Sarpanch's Chaupal was right in front. Eight to ten people were sitting on the ground around the bonfire at the Chaupal. Some of them were chatting and some were smoking hookah. Sarpanch Bholanath Tiwari was sitting on a stool.
Seeing Rajaram, people greeted him. Sarpanch made Rajaram sit on a stool near him and asked- "Tell me Secretary Sahab, how are you? Where are you coming from in such darkness?"
"Sarpanch sahab, I want to talk to you in private," Rajaram said while looking around.
"Yes-yes why not, let's go inside and sit. But tell me what is the matter?" Sarpanch asked in a confused tone.
"Let's go inside and we will talk." Rajaram gave a brief answer.
Both of them got up and went inside. Sarpanch ordered tea. After serving tea to Rajaram, Sarpanch sahab said, "Now tell me what is the matter that you look so worried?"
"Sarpanch sahab, it's amazing! Dalchand's son Gajendra Pal from your village has filed an application against us to the DM sahab in which he has complained that the Sarpanch has done a lot of fraud in the funds of Jawahar Rozgar Yojana by colluding with the secretary. He has demanded an inquiry into the construction work done under this scheme."
"What are you saying, Secretary Sahab?" Sarpanch Bholanath Tiwari's forehead wrinkled.
"I am saying the right thing Sarpanch sahab! Today a copy of the complaint letter came from DM Sahab. DM Sahab has ordered BDO Sahab to investigate the whole matter and send a report."
"So the matter has reached this point. Till yesterday he used to work in my fields. As soon as the boy started going to the city to study, the bastard's wings had grown. Look at the audacity of the bastard, he complained against me to the DM Sahab. If I don't teach him a lesson, then my name will not be Bholanath Tiwari." Sarpanch Ji said while twisting his mustache.
"Don't take this matter so lightly, Sarpanch sahab! The matter is very serious. If an inquiry is done, I will lose my job." Rajaram said in a worried tone.
"Don't worry Secretary Sahab! Some solution will be found."
"Whatever solution you have to find, find it quickly Sarpanch Sahab. If the investigation starts then it will be difficult to suppress the matter. Out of one and a half lakh rupees, we have spent only forty thousand rupees. Not only will the entire money be recovered, but we will also have to go to jail." Rajaram explained the seriousness of the matter to Sarpanch sahab.
There was silence in the Chaupal for some time. Both Rajaram and Sarpanch were lost in thought.
"It is a big thing for a small mouth! If you allow me, I will say something." Sarpanch Sahab's servant Budhha asked while looking at Sarpanch Sahab.
"Yes, tell me, what do you want to say?" Sarpanch Sahab looked at Budhha with questioning eyes.
"Just two-three days ago, one of my relatives was robbed in the nearby village Dharampura."
"What is the connection of robbery with this matter?" Rajaram said angrily interrupting him.
"First sir, listen to me," Buddha said quickly. He probably did not like the secretary's interference.
"Yes, yes, listen. What does he want to say?" The Sarpanch supported Buddha's words.
"If you say, I can somehow get Gajendrava caught in a robbery. The boy will come on the right track on his own." Buddha whispered in a regal voice. Sarpanch Bholanath Tiwari jumped up, "Wow Buddha, wow! Your intelligence is beyond comparison. What a cheapskate you have brought." He blurted out involuntarily.
"But how will the police believe that a promising boy like Gajendra, who is studying in B.A., will go to commit robbery at Buddha's relative's house." Rajaram expressed doubt.
"Yes, that is true. The police will not believe this easily. Police Station in-charge has just arrived. I am yet to get acquainted with him." The Sarpanch's face turned pale.
"I have heard that the Block Pramukh Ji is very friendly with the Police Station Incharge sahab?" said Rajaram. The Sarpanch sahab looked at Rajaram with questioning eyes.
"The day before yesterday Pramukh Ji had invited the Incharge sahab to his mansion," said Rajaram.
"Then consider that the matter has been settled. Tomorrow we will go to Pramukh Ji's place." Sarpanch Sahab said happily.
The Sarpanch was restless. The next day he reached Pramukh Ji's house with Rajaram. He told everything to Pramukh Ji from beginning to end. Sarpanch Ji was a relative of Pramukh Ji, Sarpanch sahab had also played an important role in making him the Block Pramukh. That is why Pramukh Ji respected Sarpanch Ji a lot. On hearing Sarpanch Ji's problem, Pramukh Ji became very serious. All three kept on discussing for a long time.
Finally, Pramukh Ji reached the police station with Sarpanch Ji. He introduced Sarpanch Ji to the incharge sahab.
Then Pramukh Ji took the incharge sahab aside with a gesture. Both of them kept on whispering for a long time.
Because he was a college student, he was hesitant to add Gajendra's name to the robbery report so that the matter would not get complicated. But when Pramukh Ji cited his political connections to the top and forcibly put crisp notes of fifty thousand in the incharge's pocket, then the incharge could not say no.
An FIR was lodged for the Dharampura dacoity and with the consent of Budhha's relative, the names of Gajendra and his father Dalchand were added to the accused in the dacoity case. The sarpanch returned to the village happy with his victory.
It was three-four days after this. It was nine o'clock at night. Since it was winter, the villagers were hiding in their homes. There was a deep silence all around. Sometimes the sound of dogs barking used to break this silence. Everyone in Gajendra's house was preparing to sleep when the policemen knocked on his door. Gajendra opened the door. Gajendra and Dalchand were stunned to see such a large number of policemen at the door and before they could understand anything, the policemen had caught them.
"What is the matter, Inspector Ji, why are you arresting us?" Gajendra had asked with courage.
"You guys are named in the Dharampura robbery." Inspector Ji had said in a stern voice.
Gajendra and Dalchand were shocked.
"You have some misunderstanding, Sir. We are simple people, what do we have to do with robbery?" Dalchand had said pleadingly.
"Shut up, you bastard! You are arguing with the Inspector Ji." A policeman had said while slapping Dalchand hard on his cheek.
"Look DiwanJi, you should behave politely. Don't raise your hand. We are not thieves or pickpockets. We are decent people."
"Hmm, so this kid will teach us politeness? Give him eight-ten blows of lathi." The inspector shouted angrily.
The policemen pounced upon Gajendra and Dalchand with sticks. Their screams echoed far and wide in the silence of the night.
The news spread like wildfire in the entire village that the police had come and were beating Gajendra and Dalchand. Everyone was whispering among themselves. No one could believe that Gajendra and Dalchand could even commit robbery. But in the village, the fear of the inspector is greater than the inspector himself. That is why everyone kept whispering among themselves, no one dared to go to the policemen and say something. The police dragged Gajendra and Dalchand to the police station.
Gajendra's mother rushed to the Sarpanch's house for help, but she found out that the Sarpanch had gone out somewhere and would be returned in two-three days.
Apart from the Sarpanch, there was no one else in the village that could go to the police station or court to plead the case, so Gajendra's mother was left helpless.
Gajendra and Dalchand were kept in the lockup at the police station the whole day. Interrogation continued. In the evening, Gajendra's daughter-in-law was also called to the police station on the pretext of recording her statement.
Gajendra's daughter-in-law was presented before the police station in charge at ten in the night. She had just come to her in-laws' house after getting married. This was her first opportunity to go out of the house. Therefore, she was wearing a long veil. "Tear her veil off." The dictatorship order of the police station in charge echoed in the room.
A constable came forward and with a stick, lifted the veil of Gajendra's daughter-in-law. Gajendra's daughter-in-law bent double with shame. Even in the winter season, beads of sweat had appeared on her forehead.
On the other hand, the police station in-charge started drooling after seeing the beauty of Gajendra's daughter-in-law. He looked at the Block Pramukh from the corner of his eyes. Pramukh Ji smiled mischievously. Then there were some eye gestures. All three were drunk. All three got up and drank one more peg of alcohol.
The police station in-charge was completely intoxicated.
"Lock the door from outside, we have to take important statements." The in-charge ordered the constable.
The order was immediately executed. The door was closed with a bang. Gajendra's daughter-in-law started trembling. She wanted to scream for help, but fear had sealed her lips.
The three drunk people started taking the statements of Gajendra's daughter-in-law one by one. Meanwhile, Gajendra and his father were being questioned in the lockup. In the silence of the night, sometimes the sobs of Gajendra's daughter-in-law echoed, and sometimes the heart-rending screams of Gajendra and Dalchand locked in the lockup. This sequence continued throughout the night.
Gajendra's daughter-in-law was sent to the village in the dark of the morning. While leaving, the police station in-charge warned her that if she ever opens her mouth about this, I will make Gajendra rot in jail for the rest of his life.
After this, the Pramukh and the Sarpanch also got up and left in the dark.
The next day, the Sarpanch came to the police station around 10 am. At this time, he was wearing a washed silk kurta and a sparkling white dhoti with indigo. His face was dripping with gentlemanliness. There was no similarity between the drunken savage Sarpanch of the night and the Sarpanch of this time. At this time, he had put on the mask of public service on his face.
The Sarpanch went straight to Gajendra and Dalchand who were locked in the lockup. He asked the constable posted there, "Why brother, why have these people been arrested? These people are from our village."
"They have been arrested in the Dharampura robbery case." The constable gave a brief answer.
"What did you say... Robbery? What do these people have to do with robbery? They are simple people. And Gajendra is a promising boy from our village." Said the Sarpanch Ji, showing fake surprise.
"Save us somehow Sarpanch Ji. We will never forget this favour of yours." Dalchand said while crying bitterly.
"What are you saying Dalchand, you people are not strangers. I had just returned from outside today. When I came to know about you people, I came running here."
"You have done a great favour. Now somehow free us from here. Otherwise, Gajendra's life will be ruined." The helplessness of the whole world was contained in Dalchand's voice.
"Be brave Dalchand. Now that I have come, I will leave no stone unturned in pleading for you. Even if I have to run from here to the capital, I will not rest until I free you all. I will go and talk to the in-charge Sahab." Saying this, the Sarpanch went towards the in-charge Sahab's room. Gajendra and Dalchand began to see a ray of hope.
After one and a half hours, Sarpanch Ji returned. Both of them looked at him with hopeful eyes.
"There is a robbery report against you people. Incharge Sahab was not ready to let you go. I have somehow convinced him. The deal has been finalized for fifty thousand rupees."
"But I don't have a single penny in my house right now. How will I arrange fifty thousand rupees?" Dalchand said in a very worried tone. "I don't have money right now, but you don't worry. I will find some way or the other. Whether I have to mortgage my field or sell my jewelry, I will arrange the money by evening and get you people released. It is a question of the village's honour." Sympathy was dripping from every word of the Sarpanch.
Gajendra and Dalchand fell at the feet of Sarpanch Ji, overwhelmed with emotion. At this time, Sarpanch Ji seemed no less than an angel to them. By evening, the Sarpanch had released Gajendra and Dalchand from the police station. Both of them were singing his praises in the entire village.
Gajendra's arrogance had gone away due to the beating by the police. He still shudders at the thought of what the police would have done to him if the Sarpanch had not reached on time. There was not even a trace of resentment left in his mind against the Sarpanch. On the contrary, he was regretting deeply that he had complained against a godly man like the Sarpanch to the DM. He was not able to understand how he could apologize to the Sarpanch for his mistake.
It was around seven o'clock the next day. The darkness of the night had spread all around. People had gathered at the Sarpanch's Chaupal as usual. The conversation was going on. Just then, Gajendra came there with his head bent and sat on one side.
"What's the matter, Gajendra? You seem a little worried." The Sarpanch asked him while looking at him from the corner of his eyes.
"Sarpanch Ji, I have made a big mistake. I am not even worth showing up the face.” Gajendra said with his head bowed down.
“What mistake?” Sarpanch Ji asked showing fake surprise.
“On the instigation of some people, I had complained about you to the D.M. sahab that Sarpanch Ji is doing a huge scam in Jawahar Rozgar Yojna.”
“Hmm. You have done a big wrong thing and did not even tell me.” Sarpanch Ji acted worried.
“I am very worried Sarpanch Ji. Now I am ready to do whatever you tell me.” Gajendra said completely surrendering.
“You have committed a big mistake in your ignorance Gajendra. Well, whatever happened has happened. Now you do this, go to the block with Secretary Sahab at ten o’clock tomorrow. There, whatever Secretary Sahab tells you, tell the B.D.O. Write it down in front of the Sarpanch and give it to him."
"Okay, tomorrow I will go with the Panchayat Secretary at ten o'clock." Gajendra agreed.
"Won't it be alright brother, Panchayat Secretary?" Sarpanch Ji looked at the Secretary and said smiling mischievously.
"It will be alright. I will take Gajendra with me tomorrow. Gajendra, you come a little early, we will leave a little early."
"Don't worry, I will come at nine o'clock" Saying this Gajendra left.
Slowly the rest of the people also got up. When everyone left, Rajaram looked at the Sarpanch Ji and said smilingly, "Wow Sarpanch Ji, wow! What a trump card. In one move you defeated the son. You made the brother-in-law's wife lose her respect and on the other hand, you also became the protector of the village's respect. The whole village is praising you. Gajendra has become your staunch devotee."
