15th April 1950

My Dear Panditji,

I have given most anxious thought to the requests made to me to reconsider my decision. While attaching the greatest respect to the views expressed, I very much regret I do not find it possible to withdraw my resignation. In these circumstances I hope you will be good enough to accept it formally now.

Regarding Neogy, I had talks with him after yesterday's Party meeting. He also finds himself unable to withdraw his resignation. Apart from the reasons given by him already, he feels very strongly that the impending trade talks should not be finalised or implemented by Cabinet for a period of say two months. During this period Government should satisfy itself that the Political Agreement is actually being implemented by Pakistan. Meanwhile all possible steps should be taken to requisition the raw jute stocks in India and make them available to the mills at controlled prices. This will keep the mills going for at least two months, if not more.

During this period the top most priority in the matter of implementation should be given to recovery of abducted women.

Copies of telegrams circulated to us indicate how disturbances in some parts of East Bengal are still continuing. Some of them are of a fairly serious character. There are reports of about 50 women having been abducted. These incidents are apart from the border incidents which have been separately reported by West Bengal Government. How far this will be regarded as breach of Agreement is a matter for you to consider.

Yours sincerely,

Hon’ble Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

Source: Syama prasad Mookerjee Papers, Instalment V–VII, Subject File No. 80.