"ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Mrs. Bijoya Ray" "Dr. Dineshchandra Mallik Dr. Kantibhusan Bakshi" "Mr. Dipankar Sarkar Truth Press" " Basanti Press" " Sandesh" "Sri Ramkrishna Pharmacy Anandabazar Patrika Ltd" "Ajkal Mr. Balai Sarkar" " Is this the newspaper Janavarta?" " Yes." " Am I speaking to the editor?" " Yes." "Haridas, this is Dr. Gupta speaking, Ashoke Gupta." "Yes, sir?" "I'm calling you with some news." "What news?" "There have been some jaundice cases here in Chandipur." "Yes, what we call infective hepatitis." "There have been cases of other waterborne diseases as well, such as typhoid, gastroenteritis and others." "We've seen cases in our hospital and also among private patients." "None of these diseases have ever occurred before in Chandipur." "I'd like you to print this information so that people can be made aware." " Do you know why this is happening?" " No, not yet." "We can't find the source of the contamination." " should I tell you what I think it is?" " Yes, do." "The Santoshpur chemical Factory is just across the river." "It could be leaking chemical impurities into the water, because we know the fish are dying." "We printed that too." "Haven't you read it?" "No, chemical impurities wouldn't cause these diseases." "I'm sure you know better." "Will you print it?" "should we say infective hepatitis or jaundice?" "Jaundice is better understood by the public." "All right." "I'll send over a reporter, Sanat Dasgupta." "please give him all the details." "All right." "I'll keep you informed." "National Film Development Corporation, India presents" "An adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's play" "An Enemy of the people" "Satyajit Ray's" "AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE ( Ganashatru )" "Soumitra Chatterjee Dhritiman Chatterjee, Dipankar Dey" "Ruma Guha Thakurta Mamata Shankar" "Cinematography Barun Raha" "Art Direction Ashoke Bose" "Editor Dulal Dutta" "Produced by National Film Development Corp., Ltd." "Screenplay, Music and Direction Satyajit Ray" " Homemade, I presume?" " Yes." "Like it?" " Delicious." "I usually just have tea at the office." "Here, I could not resist the temptation." "I was wondering how you found the time to come." "I thought newspaper editors worked until midnight." "That's true, but, as I said, I have to meet with the doctor urgently on business." "He's usually here by now." "There seems to be an epidemic." " What epidemic?" " Jaundice." " Again?" " So it seems." "We wrote an article about some jaundice cases in Janavarta." "The doctor himself told us about them." "It's never happened here before." "He's been worried for the past few days." "There have been quite a few cases at his private practice as well." "I hope it will end soon." "Ever since Bhargava's temple was built 10 years ago, things have changed so much." "It's still two months until Shivratri, and the hotels are already fully booked." "Chandipur is an important place now." "We love it here." "We were born and raised here." "Chandan!" "Of course, he studied medicine in Calcutta." "After our marriage, we lived there for a time while he practiced medicine." "I didn't like it." "I felt at peace again when we returned to Chandipur." "We prefer small towns." "Compared to Calcutta's pollution" " What a surprise." "Look who's here." " I'm afraid I never find the time to drop by." "May I present Haridas Bagchi, the editor of Janavarta?" "This is my brother-in-law" " Of course!" "I'm a journalist." "I recognize the chairman of the municipality." "Hasn't he come home yet?" "Maybe he's with a patient." "Will you have some tea?" " No, I just had some." " The snacks are homemade." " I don't eat between meals." "Still having trouble with your digestion?" "Ashoke's prescription didn't work, so I'm trying herbal medicine." " Won't you have anything?" " Just a glass of water." "How's your paper doing?" "Still running." "You seem to have moved a bit to the left lately." "Has it improved circulation?" "Do you read our paper?" "At times." "It's the only daily newspaper in Chandipur." "Didn't your paper run the first story on the jaundice cases?" "Thanks to the doctor." "That's strange." "He didn't say anything to me." "Maybe he didn't find the time." "You know how absentminded he is." "What does he think about the situation?" "Nothing in particular, but he's quite worried." "Even if it is jaundice, it won't stop people from coming to the festival." "Ever since the Tripureshwar temple was built, visitors have increased threefold." "I needn't tell you." "You're the president of the Bhargava Trust." "Have you ever been to the temple?" "Of course." "Both of us have been there." "I'm not like Ashoke." "I believe in religion." "A week of praying at the temple, and my spondylitis was cured." " Really?" " They say Shiva is very powerful." "That must be my husband." "I hope so." "I have some business with him." "I have to go soon." "Any news from your son?" "He decided to stay there." " In America?" " So it seems." "Oh, Nisith." "What brings you here?" "Sit down." "I'll tell you." "I saw Ronen coming on foot, so I gave him a lift." "Please, have a seat." "They've all been waiting for you." " I got delayed by a patient." " Jaundice again?" "Yes, but he's out of danger now." "Any news from the hospital?" "That's what I came to find out." "The hospital isn't the problem." "It's this increase in jaundice cases." "Bhargava wants to know if you have enough medical supplies." "No worries there." "What worries me is the cause of this water contamination." "ls it stemming from any particular area?" "I think so, but it requires investigation." "We should investigate further." " Ronen, some tea?" " Yes, please." " Ranu isn't back yet." " That's all right." "I'll wait." "By the way... any letters for me?" "None." "If you need anything, please don't hesitate to let me know." "That won't be necessary." "Bhargava has done the public a great service by building the hospital." "Chandipur has all the facilities now." "I think no other small town could compare with Chandipur." "Even culturally, we aren't lagging behind." "Look at Ronen." "He's from here." "See what he's achieved?" "We're doing what we can." "We've formed a theater group." "The doctor's daughter is also a member." "A year ago, we started publishing a quarterly literary journal." "Ronen works in a bank." "He has a lucrative job." "That's good." "What's your journal called?" "The Torch." "Which way do you lean?" "Right?" "Or left?" "Today, most journals lean a bit to the left." "But we're just getting started." "We have a lot to overcome." "We don't have many subscribers." "It's the effort that matters." "You told them everything but the most important thing." "I leave that to you." " What is it?" " He's our future son-in-law." "Is that so?" " When is the happy day?" " This May." "Is Ranu still teaching at the school?" "Yes, but she won't have to anymore starting in May, because Ronen's going to be promoted in January." "Haridas, you've been very quiet." "How are you doing?" " I'm looking forward to your story." " About what?" " About Chandipur." "You wrote about the climate here once." "Now write something else." "This new cultural scene could be a good subject." "No." "Leave it for now." " Why not?" "It would be a very good thing for Chandipur." "The news about jaundice must have upset many people." "I'm upset too." "Terribly upset." "I'm in no mood to write." "But to refuse to write..." "Don't you wish the best for Chandipur?" "Of course, a hundredfold!" "More than anyone." "That's great." "We're trying to turn Chandipur into a major tourist destination in West Bengal." "We need your active support." "As for these virus cases, rest assured the municipality is behind you." " Leaving already?" " Yes." "I'll stop by some other time." " Don't forget." " Ronen, send me a copy of your journal." " I will." "The chairman seemed to be in an affable mood." "He's usually in a bad mood... when he has indigestion." "I thought he'd be upset at meeting me." "Did you hear what he asked about my journal?" "Don't take that seriously." "No, I was between a rock and a hard place." "I didn't know what to say." "Nisith has always been conservative." "We never agree on anything." "But he has some good qualities." "His efficiency is praiseworthy." "He's been the chairman of the municipality three times running." "The idea for the temple was his." "Bhargava only came up with the hospital." "But it's due to Nisith alone that so many people are visiting Chandipur." "Chandipur is his obsession now." "He's a partner in Bhargava's rice mill, isn't he?" "You're all gossiping here while I work myself to death." "Why are you so late?" "Would you like some tea?" "Yes, I would." "Seeing the mood you're in... may I ask you a question without fear?" "Don't be melodramatic." "What question?" "Are the copies in your bag?" "Yes." "But it's better if you don't look at them today." "If you have any more proofs, give them to me." "I'll correct them." "A letter came for you, Father." "When did it come?" "The postman brought it as I was leaving for school." "Excuse me while I read this." "Any news from your school?" "I've only been working there five months." " Do you like it?" " I do." "Even more at the end of the month when I get paid." "But I have no say over what is to be taught." "I don't believe in half the things I have to teach." "On the bright side, everyone there is very fond of me." "Have you translated that story I gave you?" "I haven't had time." "I hope you're not in a hurry." "Within the next week, I'll" "Who's it from, Father?" "What is it?" "It's just as I thought." "Nisith's gone." "If he were here, I could have let him know." "I'm getting impatient." "Listen... this isn't just a letter." "I sent a sample of Chandipur's water to Calcutta for analysis." "This is the report." "Where was the water from?" "From the most densely populated part of Chandipur." "Bhuvanpulli?" "This report says that the water is full of bacteria." "Most of the patients came from that area, so I sent a water sample from there." "Now we have proof the source of all the waterborne diseases occurring in Chandipur is Bhuvanpulli." " That means" " What?" "Our temple is in Bhuvanpulli!" "At the center of Bhuvanpulli." "Everyone is using that temple water." "Not only that, they're drinking it." "Holy water!" "The faithful are drinking that very same contaminated water!" "That water is poisoning people." "The question is, when thousands of people drink the holy water every day, why are only some people affected?" "Because there is a built-in resistance in the body, which we call immunity." "That's what protects some people from falling ill." "But if even one person is affected by typhoid, cholera or jaundice, then that is dangerous." " How could this have happened?" " It's very simple." "The underground pipes must have been installed negligently." "The water pipe must have cracked, and the drain pipe as well." "Now these waters are mixing." "This is always happening in our country." "What will you do?" "I'll send this report to my brother with my recommendations." "As municipal chairman, he must take action immediately." "As long as the temple water is impure, it cannot be used." "I found out that there's no natural source of water nearby." "Bhuvanpulli is supplied by a small number of tube wells." "The only solution is to completely repair the system." "Can we print this story in the paper?" "Do you even need to ask?" " Even the part about the temple?" " Do you have any doubts?" "It will cause a panic." "Well..." "Don't mention Bhuvanpulli." "Call it, "a densely populated area of Chandipur."" "Let's see what my brother says first." "Then we can put it in the headlines." "This is just to warn people." "This is an extraordinary thing you're doing." "You'll see." "Soon you'll be a national hero." "No, Haridas." "I don't want to be a hero." "I want to be an ordinary citizen." "Whatever I've done... it's my duty as a doctor." " Maya?" " Coming." "Back so soon?" "Nisith's coming." "He got my report." "Haridas called." "He needs something." "Any more cases?" "Sushanta is dead." "Dead?" "Yes." "At 6:00 a.m." "He was in critical condition, though." "That's so sad." "There will be many more victims if nothing is done about it." "Surely Nisith will do something." "The problem is he's jealous." "If he had discovered it himself, then" "This is Adhir Mukherjee, our printer and publisher." "So you're legally responsible if anything objectionable is printed." "Correct." "He wants a few words with you." "Would you like some tea or coffee?" "We're only staying a short while." "Please, take a seat." " Have you read the paper?" " Yes, I think the story will work." "How can I help you?" "I didn't come to discuss the objectionable news." "I came to ask you for your advice." "On what?" "This discovery you've made has upset a lot of people." "Some people don't want to believe that Chandipur isn't a healthy place." "After reading the news, many people have said," ""Dr. Gupta is mistaken." "The water here can't be polluted."" "Is that so?" "Don't worry about it." "I'm the chairman of three housing cooperatives." "I have a lot of influence with the co-op members." "I can guarantee that they will all support you." "I think their support will strengthen your position." "This is good news." "I can't do much on my own." "Although... a lot will depend on my brother's decision." "You have my word that all of us are behind you!" "If necessary, we'll call a meeting and pass a resolution." "Of course, I don't want to overstep any boundaries." "Being an extremist just isn't practical." "But you've done the citizens a great service in this case." "They should show you how grateful they are." "I don't think anyone will object to that." "Now is not the time for honors." "Once the danger is over, we can think about such things." "Anyway, I've told you how I feel." "Many thanks." "Good-bye for now." "Please go ahead." "I'll join you shortly." "Can you spare five minutes?" "Yes, but no more." "My brother is coming." " All right." "I'll be brief." " What is it?" "In a situation like this, what do you think a progressive newspaper should do?" "I think... warning the citizens is its first duty, then demanding a solution to the problem from the authorities." "But who will provide the solution?" "You say your brother will, in his role as municipal chairman." "But, aside from your brother, I know some other influential people." "When we published the article about fish dying in the river, these people came to my office and threatened me." "They said they'd come after me if Chandipur gets a bad reputation." "They're relying on Chandipur's newfound prosperity to increase their own wealth." "The Tripureshwar temple is Chandipur's greatest attraction." "Its daily income is mind-boggling." "I find it hard to believe that some of that isn't going into their pockets." "I want to expose them." "As a newspaper editor, you must do what you have to do." "I know all those bureaucrats you mentioned." "But I have to think of my own problems too." "I can't forget my duties as a doctor." "What if your brother doesn't side with you?" "We must be prepared for every eventuality." "Well..." "That report I sent you..." "Are you prepared to publish it if I write it up as an article?" "Of course." "That's a good idea." "If Nisith doesn't take my side, I'll write that article today." "Ranu will make a copy of it after she comes back from school." "I'll drop it off at your office tonight." " I'll be going now." " Sure." "I don't think there's anything to worry about." "Good-bye." "What were you doing in the kitchen all this time?" "I wasn't in the kitchen." "I was teaching the cook a new recipe." "Please leave it for a moment." "Sit with me for a while." "Please sit down." "What's bothering you?" "Ever since I received that report yesterday..." "I've been very disturbed." "I can see that." "I'm just as worried myself." "I know the pressure you're under." "You already work so hard, and now this has happened." "That's why a good solution must be found immediately." "What if Nisith disagrees?" "No, I can't believe he would do that." "He loves Chandipur as much as I do." "Would he go against me at such a difficult time?" "I'm thinking of his jealousy." "I've seen his behavior these past 30 years." "Don't forget he was the one who got me a job at the hospital." "He helped us find this house." "But only after he established his own financial security, not before." "If he takes your side, I'll be very happy, but..." "But what?" "He's nothing like you." "To think you're brothers" " Have you met Mr. Bhargava?" " Will you have some tea?" "None for me either." "Please have a seat." "Can we go to your office?" "Of course." "Follow me." "Well, Mr. Bhargava?" "What have you done, Dr. Gupta?" "Excuse me?" "Nisith showed me your report." "My head is spinning." "When I got the lab report, I felt the same way." "It's a serious matter." "But why drag my temple into this?" "It's right in the heart of Bhuvanpulli." "The water there was found to be contaminated." "The same with the temple water." "People are drinking contaminated water." "Do you know what this is?" "I'm giving this to you." "Test it." "If you can find a single germ in it, my name isn't Bhargava." "What are you saying?" "Your medical science can't understand its properties, Dr. Gupta." "But that's nonsense." "It's not nonsense." "This isn't just tap water. lt contains water from the Ganges river too." "How else can we use it for worship?" "We get a regular supply of Ganges water from Calcutta." "There are bei leaves." "There is sesame oil." "There are tuIsi leaves." "Did you know... that the tuIsi leaf removes all impurities?" "How could you know, Dr. Gupta?" "After eating an offering, a patient fell ill and came to me." "But not the holy water!" "Your brother told me that you've never visited my temple." "You don't understand the Hindu religion, Dr. Gupta." "Then you won't do anything about the water?" "There's nothing that needs to be done about the temple." "Then I have nothing more to say." "The number of cases keeps increasing." "Forget about the temple!" "The municipality will ensure that people boil their water." "If necessary, more tube wells will be dug." "But you will not give my temple a bad name." " Are you leaving?" " Yes, I have another appointment." "I'll see you out." "Listen, Nisith." "I can see that you share Bhargava's opinion." " I have a question." " Yes?" "Couldn't you have discussed this matter with me first?" "But I had no proof!" "I couldn't make a move just based on a hunch." "When I had proof, I told you." "Are you going to present this report to the temple authorities?" "And to the municipality, officially this time." "The number of cases is growing." "Bhargava may not want his temple to get a bad name, but I can't just ignore the lab report!" "Even if we agree... that the water from the underground pipe is contaminated by drain water, do you have any idea how much time and money will be needed to locate and repair it?" "The temple will have to be closed." "Thousands of people will want to know why it's closed." "Is there any other choice?" "I could agree with Bhargava... that the presence of tulsi leaves in the holy water means there can't be any contamination." "That's age-old tradition." "I'm concerned about the well water of the Tripureshwar temple." "It is polluted." "Diseases are spreading here which have never been seen before." "Many people have died." "Among those infected are the inhabitants of Bhuvanpulli and the temple visitors." "I agree with you, Brother." "But I still insist you don't submit this report to the committee." "I won't breathe a word about this." "Bhargava won't tell anyone either." "I know that for sure." "But not everyone will keep quiet about this matter." "If this information gets out, people will stop coming to Chandipur." " Will they come if an epidemic breaks out?" " I'll take care of that." "We'll have people boil the water, and we'll dig more tube wells." "I'll take care of it." "But don't spread any rumors that the temple water carries diseases." "But some people have already figured it out." "How?" "Haven't you read Janavarta today?" "IS CHANDIPUR IN DANGER?" "When you did this... did you even stop to consider yourself or your family?" "What do you mean?" "Who got you a job at the hospital?" "You did." "And I'm very grateful for that." "I had thought that if I helped you settle down, you would become less pigheaded." "You should be more careful!" "Have I not been careful?" "As soon as you get a new idea, you publish it!" "The last time, it was because there was no children's park." "You complained and published an article, even though the land for the park had already been acquired by the Bhargava Trust." "I didn't know that." "If you had asked me, you'd have known!" "Again, you should have told me as soon as you received the chemical report." "But instead you informed the press." "Where's the harm in letting people know?" "You made a big mistake... dragging the temple into it." "The newspaper doesn't mention either the temple or Bhuvanpulli." "The public isn't stupid." "Even a stall owner knows that Bhuvanpulli is the most populated area." "Now it's your responsibility to contradict what you said before." "I mean, you have to tell the press you were wrong, that this matter isn't as serious as you thought it was." "But I can't lie, Nisith." "Well, then, as municipal chairman, I must tell them." "I will definitely protest." "Chandipur's greatest attraction is its temple." "I won't have it dragged down by a scandal." "Think over what I've said." "You could be seriously affected by this business." "I don't want that for you." " You're forgetting one thing." " What?" "It's called a court of law." "If you stand in my way, I'll have no choice but to take shelter under the law." "Do you know Dr. Nandi?" "No, but his brother is my patient." "Then you ought to know that the doctor visits the temple twice a week." "He will tear up a petition from an irreligious person like you." "I met him last week, and he's in good health." "He doesn't have infective hepatitis." "What's the matter?" "What have you two brothers started?" "I heard every single word you said." "Unbelievable." "My own brother... said all these things in my house." "I'm not surprised at all." "How little I know him." "I never expected such a violent reaction." "As if the temple belongs to him!" "Your brother might dress like an Englishman, but he isn't one." "He's destroying everything holy with his negligence." "He says that the water is purified by the tuIsi leaves, that holy water can't be contaminated." "Have you ever heard of such things?" "Have you?" "I have." "From my father, when I was a child." "Amazing." "Only science matters these days." "It didn't used to be that way." "Do you want to go to the temple?" "Maya... look at me." "Tell me the truth." "Do you want to go to the temple?" " Why are you asking me?" " Please, tell me." "Well, I..." "I don't want anything to come between us." "And before?" "You aren't a religious man." "That used to bother me." "I can't lie to you." "But now I understand... that a man can still be honest without believing in religion." "What's the use in being honest?" "The use?" "I understand, even if you don't." "Calm down and decide what you have to do." "It would have been better had Nisith stood by me." "Without his support, there's much to be done." "Why do you say that?" "I'm not alone." "A progressive newspaper is backing me." "They are going to publish an important article about this matter." "Mr. Adhir, the newspaper's publisher, is the chairman of three housing cooperatives." "He has assured me the co-op members will offer me their complete support." "Now, how can I say that I'm alone?" "There are still obstacles to overcome" "Life is not over yet" "Mom, Dad wrote such a nice article." "Why are you singing a sad song?" " Honestly, tell me how it is." " Very good." "But, Dad, will Janavarta publish this?" "Why not?" "They've done it before." " But this article is different." "You've never written such a bold article before." "You're writing about refusing to drink holy water, closing the temple." "That's to prevent the spread of disease." "It has nothing to do with religion." "Janavarta won't be able to distinguish between the two." "But Haridas told me he would print it." "If it was Haridas, I really doubt they'll publish it." "Why?" "I don't like him at all." "I don't like the look in his eyes." "Is that your impression of him?" "I trust him." "Haridas is a good person." "I hope so." "I hope I've misjudged him." "Should I sing a happy song?" "You two are arguing." "Ranu's wrong." "They will publish the article." "I hope so." "No one tells the truth anymore." "If it's published, won't your brother take revenge?" "Nisith can't keep quiet about this." "I must do my duty." "I understand, but I'm very scared." "I know Nisith well." "You two were never close." "I haven't forgotten." "Remember what happened after your father died?" "Of course I do." "I never told Ranu." "She was just a baby then." "What happened?" "Your grandfather... was very fond of the good life." "As a lawyer, he earned quite a lot, but he spent everything." "When he passed away at the age of 60, he left a huge debt behind." "Nisith was working then." "But he didn't contribute a single penny to help repay that debt." "Your father sweated and toiled... to pay that money back all by himself." "I don't even know how I managed to maintain this family." "Are my fears groundless?" "They have to publish this article!" "I'm going to give it to them right now." " So late?" "I've informed Haridas." "He's waiting for me in his office." " I'm so scared, Mother." " I'm just as scared as you are." "The honest always suffer the most." "Have you read it?" "I can't wait to see what kind of reaction this article will provoke." "Listen." ""For the last 26 years, I have been a doctor in Chandipur." "Never before has Chandipur faced such a danger." "If action isn't taken immediately, there will be an epidemic." "The authorities have a responsibility to act, but the citizens should take action as well." "It is very unfortunate that the water in Tripureshwar temple has been proven to be contaminated." "If this water is used for either religious or household purposes, it will be impossible to stop the spread of disease." "This water must be purified immediately." "That's the only way to safeguard Chandipur from this disaster."" "It's an excellent article." "It will make people aware of the situation." "That's what I'm afraid of." "Excuse me?" "We've received 17 letters." " What letters?" " From our readers." "What do they say?" "That Ashoke Gupta is mistaken." "That Chandipur's water can't be impure." "They're idiots!" "They're disputing scientific evidence!" "Why do you believe them?" "When this article is published, the reputation of our paper will increase tenfold!" "We've never published anything like this, and Dr. Gupta has never written anything like this before." "I don't know the man, but I have a lot of respect for him after reading this article." "He's one in a million." "Shouldn't we support him?" "Adhir always says we should keep our distance, but we can't think like that anymore." "This is a bombshell!" "We must act now." " Busy?" " Come in, sir." "We were just talking about you." " Really?" "Our assistant editor, Biresh Guha." "He just read your article." " I'm honored." " What are you doing?" "I've never read such a good article." "Thank you." "I'm happy to hear that." "If that's what the assistant editor thinks, what does the editor say?" "You know I'm one of your fans." "Why don't you publish it then?" "I wanted to talk to you about something." "These 17 letters arrived in the mail this morning." "Letters?" "They don't believe Chandipur's water is contaminated." "I see." "They think Chandipur is heaven." "They refuse to acknowledge anything bad about it." "But there are other people out there too, Haridas, even among your very readers." "Even if they believe Chandipur is an ideal town, they know disasters can happen here too." "They don't refute scientific evidence like a bunch of ignorant fools." "They are aware of the catastrophe an epidemic could cause." "They know it would be a great disaster for the city, and that it must be prevented." "These are my readers, Haridas." "I don't believe they will reject my article when you publish it." "Please, print it." "I heard your voice, so I thought I'd stop by." " Have you read my article?" " Not just yet." "I have to run an errand first, and then I'll read it." "I hope this won't affect our plans." "As long as you kept me in mind while you were writing, you have nothing to worry about." "What do you mean?" "It's a question of crossing the line." "I could get into a lot of trouble if it crosses that line." "Listen to me, Adhir." "Chandipur's risk is a thousand times greater than yours." "You can't be thinking of yourself anymore." "The shadow of impending disaster looms over the city today, and the only way to protect it is by publishing my article." " If you say so." " I insist on this, Adhir." "I really need your support on this article." "All right." "I'll come pick up your article as soon as I get back." "I'm going now." "I have a patient." "Send the article for composing." "I'll check the proof this evening." "Good-bye." " Wait." "What is it?" "We're taking a big risk doing this." "I hope you understand that." "If you don't want to take any risks, why do you call yourself progressive?" "You say it's your readers who decide what should be in your paper, but it's also your duty to enlighten them, to influence their thinking." "Remember that." "Adhir will be terrified when he reads the article." "Yes, he's a coward." "All that talk about crossing the line is just an excuse." "Can't we get rid of him?" "How can we?" "Who will finance our printing costs when we need the money?" "You're right." "But don't make any compromises on this article." "It's only" "Come in." "Please come in." "Your father was just here." " Really?" "I thought I'd return your book during my break." "But what about the translation?" "Have you read this book?" "No, but I've heard about it." "It's very popular." "That's why I wanted to publish it in the Sunday paper." "I read it last night." "It's a terrible story." "It's not in keeping with your paper's values." "Why?" "What's it about?" "A bunch of foolishness that I don't believe in at all." "It claims there's a supernatural force on earth which protects the good and punishes the wrongdoers." "Can you imagine anything more ridiculous?" "You're laughing?" "Miss Indrani... our readers want to read this." "Cash-strapped newspapers like ours need to raise money somehow." "Would we publish this sort of story if we already had money?" "You keep saying you have low circulation, but, seeing your office, it's difficult to believe that." "Anyway..." "I won't translate it." "I don't believe a word of it." "I can't imagine why you're thinking of publishing this." "Especially when you're about to publish such an important article." "Are you talking about your father's article?" " Aren't you printing it?" " That's the plan." "You'll be doing a public service." "If I do publish it... do you know why?" " I know why." " Why?" "Because my father isn't afraid to speak the truth, and he's also a good writer." "That's true." "There's one more reason." "What?" "He is... your father." "What do you mean?" "It's the truth." "I've come to your father's place so often to pick up his articles." "One reason was to see you." "Don't you understand?" "I don't understand, and I don't want to understand." "Don't be angry, Indrani." "It's not that I don't respect your father." "Respect?" "You're cheating my father!" "What kind of man are you?" "Those are very harsh words." "ls now a good time for you to speak to me like that?" "Why not now?" "If Janavarta doesn't help your father, he won't have any support." "Now I understand." "I'm leaving." "I didn't want to interrupt, because you had a visitor." "The municipal chairman is here." "Sorry to make you wait." " I've been watching your office door." " Come in." " Was that my niece?" " I gave her a book to translate." "Have a seat." "What can I do for you?" "An unpleasant incident occurred today." "What happened?" "It's my brother." "He sent a report to the temple committee and the municipality despite my objections." "The report is dangerous." "I know all about it." "How?" "He gave me an article based on the report." "Here." " Have you read it?" " I have." "Will you publish it?" "I haven't decided yet." "Don't you realize the danger of publishing this report?" "He says we have to stop drinking holy water and close the temple, dig up the old underground pipe and install a new pipeline." "Can't you see this is the raving of a madman?" "Will your readers accept this?" " The doctor's article" " Just a minute." "Has he come to take this article for composing?" "This is Adhir Mukherjee, our printer and publisher." "Good morning, sir." "Have you read Ashoke's article?" " You mean Dr. Gupta's article?" " Yes, he's my older brother." "Not yet, but I will now." "Do you know how much trouble you'll be in if you publish that article?" "I wasn't aware of anything of the kind." "Do you go to the temple?" "Temple?" "I go sometimes." "Do you drink holy water?" "Is there anything wrong with that?" "From now on... you won't be able to." "Why not?" "Dr. Ashoke Gupta's orders." "On his orders, the temple will be closed indefinitely." "What?" "Is all this in his article?" " Yes." "And you want me to publish this?" "Listen, Haridas." "I brought a statement from the municipality." "I'll read it to you." ""On behalf of the Chandipur Municipality, we hereby inform you that, with regard to the water in a certain area of this town, someone has been conducting a campaign of misinformation." "We ask the public not to be alarmed by these malignant rumors." "We hired a specialist to test the water in different parts of the town, and we understand that this water is completely safe to drink." "We condemn this vicious attempt to spread such false rumors." "Chairman of the Chandipur Municipality."" "Dr. Gupta's here." "I saw him getting out of his car." "Biresh, please escort the chairman to your office." "Sir, if you would please" " Why?" "Why should I leave?" "I'm staying here." "If it's not my younger brother!" "Are you here to make sure my article isn't published?" "That's the idea." "You won't succeed." "You may not be aware, but I'd already been here a little while ago." "I just came back to make some corrections." "Give me the article, please." " I don't have it yet." "Janavarta is publishing my article." "An epidemic might be spreading in this city." "People don't know that now, but they will tomorrow." "I believe people will take my advice, and that's what's best for Chandipur." " Has Haridas given you his word?" " Of course." "Well, Haridas?" "Well, I..." "Speak up clearly!" "I thought I was going to support Dr. Gupta... before I read the article, that is." "But now I just can't do it." "I see." "What are you saying, Haridas?" "You came in all of a sudden." "I didn't have time to tell you." "We can't publish your article, Dr. Gupta." "Janavarta has been facing difficulties." "The way you brought up the temple issue" "You mean what I said about the temple is a lie?" "That's not what I mean." "We have to pay attention to public opinion." "We can't ignore that in a newspaper." "How can you already know the public will be against this?" "Are you God?" "Can you read the public's mind?" "I've been running the paper for 12 years now." "I know from experience." "Just print it and see what happens!" "I'll take complete responsibility." "If we do that, our circulation will drop down to a quarter of what it is now." "We'll be forced to close down." "But before you said..." "You had so much to say yesterday at my house." "Call me back in half an hour." "Take out the part about the temple, and I'll publish it." "I'm a doctor." "Don't I have a duty to society?" "If the water contains bacteria, can't I write about it in the daily paper?" "Are you even human?" "And you?" "If you write such things, how can I give you my support?" "How can I ask my employees to print this?" "I'll leave this statement with you." "Make sure it's on the front page tomorrow." " All right." "You won't silence me so easily." "I'll call a meeting." "People will hear about this, even if they don't read about it." "Where will this meeting be?" "Does it matter?" "Ramanar Hall, Vivekananda Hall." "It won't be in either of those." "You mean you'll make sure of that?" "Very well." "I don't need a meeting hall." "I'll call an outdoor meeting." "I'll be attending that." "You want to ruin my speech!" "What if the epidemic spreads throughout Chandipur?" "In that case, it won't be because of the holy water." "I'm inviting all of you to my lecture." "Then we'll see what you do." "You have something to say?" "What have you done?" "What do you mean?" "You're not going to publish his article?" "You went back on your word!" "Look, Biresh." "I'm the editor of this paper." "I'll decide what gets published and what doesn't!" "By publishing this article..." "I think you would've given Janavarta's reputation a big boost and also supported a righteous man." "How can you deny this crisis?" "The epidemic is real!" "I don't wish to discuss the matter with you further." "Go back to your office." "What's wrong?" "What are you doing here at this time of day?" "Your father phoned me." "Where is he?" "Hasn't he come home yet?" "Yes, he has." "He's with a patient." " Why did he call you?" " It's a long story." "Janavarta won't publish your father's article." "They refused." "I knew it." "I went there to return that book this afternoon." "Haridas is an awful man, and so is their paper." "Now your father wants to spread the news by calling a public meeting, but no public halls are available." "Why not?" "Your uncle made sure of it." "That's so unfair." "Can you believe this?" "Two brothers turned enemies." "He called me to find out if he could use our drama hall for the meeting." "I discussed it with my uncle." "He agreed immediately." "He's very fond of your father." "When is the meeting?" "Sunday evening at 6:00." "We're having posters printed." "They'll be all over town." "You won't get into any trouble, will you?" "I don't care." "Don't you know me by now?" "I know you very well." " Is that you, Ranu?" " Yes, Father." "Ronen told me everything." "You were right." "I didn't know Haridas at all." "He pretends he's a progressive, but he has no courage." "No backbone." "It's better in a way." "If the article had been published, your father might have lost his job at the hospital." "Anyway, you've arranged the meeting like a true friend, Ronen." "My only goal is to let people know about the situation." "Tomorrow, there will be a statement from the municipality in the newspaper." "What statement?" "Telling people there's no need to worry, and that there's nothing wrong with Chandipur's water." "I should have known they wouldn't publish your article." "No Hindu would accept that holy water can make you ill." "But the fact is... if we delay informing the people much longer, one thing will most certainly occur:" "an epidemic." "PUBLIC MEETING SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1989" "SUBJECT:" "HEALTH HAZARD IN CHANDIPUR" "SPEAKER:" "DR. ASHOKE GUPTA VENUE:" "HALDAR DRAMA HALL" " So you came?" " Yes." "I always attend public meetings." "What's the subject?" "I saw the crowd, so I came in." "Don't ask me." "Dr. Ashoke Gupta is going to give a speech about a health hazard in Chandipur." "A health hazard in Chandipur?" "I think it's about that water problem we had here." "It was in the papers." "Didn't you read about it?" " No, I didn't." "But the chairman of the municipality said that wasn't true." "That's why I'm here to listen to what the doctor has to say." "Did you see that?" "My opponents are here as well." " Where?" " Look in front of you." "Why are they here?" "I invited them." "I don't understand you sometimes." "Mother, my uncle is here." "Did you invite him too?" "He came on his own." "It's a public meeting." "I can't stop people from coming." "I'll call on you to chair the meeting." "Me?" "With you here?" "It can't be me." "Haridas, you'll second my proposal." "All right." "I want to say something before my brother's speech." "You'll announce it." "If there's time, I'd like you to speak too." " Me?" " Yes." "You've read the article, so you can give your opinion." "They're making some plans." "Something's wrong." "Just a minute." "Listen, I don't like the look of things." "All of our opponents are here." "I'm depending on you." "Understood?" "Don't worry." "We're ready." "Dr. Gupta, isn't it time?" " Yes, it is." " Let's begin." "Just a moment." "I think we should elect a chairman first." "Why?" "I'm only going to read a paper." "Who knows how people will react?" "You can't have a meeting without a chairman." "I propose..." "Adhir Mukherjee." "I second the proposal." "Adhir, please come forward." "Good evening, friends." "As the chairman of this meeting," "I will say only this" "Who are you?" "Introduce yourself." "My name is Adhir Mukherjee." "I am the printer and publisher of Janavarta." "Okay, fine." "Carry on." "I will say only one thing." "I am a peace-loving person." "All I ask for is a peaceful meeting today." "Before Dr. Gupta's speech, the chairman of our municipality, Mr. Nisith Gupta, would like to say a few words." "Let him now come forward." "Dear friends..." "I know today's speaker intimately." "I also know what he wants to talk about." "I would like to ask if there is anyone among you who is willing to hear anything said against our temple?" "We don't want to hear anything bad about the temple!" "No!" "Certainly not!" "But that is exactly what Dr. Gupta wants to talk about." "I propose that Dr. Gupta should not be allowed to speak." "We don't want to listen to his speech." "What?" "We want to hear what Dr. Gupta has to say!" " Speak up, Dr. Gupta!" " Why don't you let Dr. Gupta speak?" "Give the podium to Dr. Gupta!" "We don't want to listen to you!" "Many of you must have read the municipality's statement in the papers." "What I wrote there is the truth!" "Dr. Gupta claims the temple water is contaminated, the very same water that is being drunk as holy water." "I say that holy water can never be impure." "Dr. Gupta is suggesting that we close the temple and purify its water." "Do you accept this?" "Do you accept such a proposal?" "No!" "The editor of Janavarta is here with us today." "Dr. Gupta submitted his article to the newspaper." "The editor justifiably refused to publish it." "I'd like to invite him to say a few words on the subject." "We don't want to hear from him!" "We've come to hear Dr. Gupta, not the editor of Janavarta!" "Friends..." "At first, I believed Dr. Gupta." "But later, I felt I had to change my position." "I realized that if I published his article, my readers would strongly object." "I've always had a cordial relationship with Dr. Gupta." "I've been invited to his house, had tea and discussed many issues." "In fact, our paper has printed many of his articles." "But in his latest article, he has made remarks about our temple which no one can accept." "As the editor of a paper," "I can't ignore public opinion." "With public opinion in mind..." "With public opinion in mind, I rejected Dr. Gupta's article." "My personal opinion is that Dr. Gupta is wrong." "Thank you." "I suggest we take a vote on the municipal chairman's proposal." "I'd like to ask a question first." "Go ahead." "Is this a meeting or is this a farce?" "I called the meeting." "It was my posters which brought people here to listen to me speak." "Let me speak first, and then decide if I'm right or wrong." "Let the municipal chairman speak his mind, but why must you take his word as gospel truth?" "You went to the trouble of coming here." "Allow me to speak." "We don't want to hear anything against the temple!" "You keep quiet, Dr. Gupta!" "I refuse to be silenced so easily." "I love this town." "I was born here in Chandipur." "Whatever I've done as a doctor is for the town's welfare." "I've been practicing here for 26 years." "Some of you are probably my patients." "There must be someone in the audience." "I want to say that Dr. Gupta is a great doctor." "He saved my life when I was near death." "I'm eternally grateful." "Thank you, Abani." "I wish to say... that until quite recently, our water was very clean." "But not anymore." "I have evidence which I want to share with you." "Chandipur has never been threatened with such disaster before." "It is possible to restore Chandipur to its pristine state." "But you must be told how, or how will you know what to do?" "That's what I want to talk about." "Do you want to hear what I have to say?" "Yes, we want to hear!" "Yes, speak up!" "We want to hear you!" "Friends..." "Today I have come to tell you" "Mr. Chairman." "I wish to ask Dr. Gupta a question." "Go ahead." "Do you call yourself a Hindu?" " What kind of a question is that?" " There's a reason." "Please answer." "Yes, I most certainly do call myself a Hindu." "There can be no doubt about that." "Have you been to our temple in the last 10 years?" "Not the way you're talking about." " In other words, you don't pray." " No." "Why not?" "Don't you believe in such rituals?" "I'll tell you the truth." "There are certain Hindu customs which I don't follow." "Science has shown me another path." "But that's a private matter." "I wouldn't dream of denigrating the faith of someone who worships at the temple and drinks holy water." "I have proof that the temple water is full of bacteria, so I say it's dangerous to drink holy water right now, or any other kind of water." "This is a question of health, not religion." "I insist that the water supply be purified immediately." "Then there can be no danger in restoring temple rituals." "Do you know how many people drink holy water?" "Do you have any idea?" "Judging from the crowd I see worshipping at the temple," "I would guess about a thousand." "How many cases of waterborne illness have you treated?" "You can't measure it like that." "I'm not the only doctor here." "Answer my question." "During the past fortnight, I've treated about 150 patients." "Many of them have died." "These are just my patients." "You must also add other doctors' patients to that figure." "Shall we say about 500 in all?" "Yes, certainly." "In the past fortnight, 15,000 people have drunk holy water, and only 500 have fallen ill." "Do you still believe that drinking holy water causes these diseases?" "We don't believe Dr. Gupta!" "Dr. Gupta, we can get out through the back door." "Let's go." "DR. ASHOKE GUPTA ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE" "You can't even leave the house." "How can we live like this?" "Should I run away?" "What else can you do?" "No." "What about the contaminated water?" "And my patients?" "This is Chandipur's darkest hour." "How can I run away?" "The people won't let you stay here." "I can see that, Maya." "I haven't done anything wrong." "Why is this happening to me?" "Don't they realize what a mistake they're making?" "May I come in?" "Come in." "Have a seat." "I'm sorry this is happening to your house." "What can you do?" "This is the work of hired thugs." " I know." "What's on your mind?" "I'm really sorry to say this, Dr. Gupta, but..." "I'll make it easy for you." "You want us to leave." "Am I right?" " I'd never ask you myself." "You know me." "You've been my tenant for the past five years." "To be honest..." "I hesitate to call you a tenant." "Our relationship means more than that." "There has never been any friction between us." "You cured my daughter's illness." "I'm grateful to you for that, but" "Go on." "The neighbors are pressuring me." "They don't want you here anymore." "That's the only reason I'm here." "My hands are tied, Doctor." "I couldn't say anything in your defense." " Is that all?" " Yes." "All right." "Give me a few days to arrange something." "Then I'll decide what to do." "Don't hold it against me, Doctor." "I was left with no choice but to come to you." "My feelings towards you haven't changed, no matter what people say." "I understand." " I'll be going now." " Yes." "You're home so early." "What happened?" " I'll tell you what happened." "They asked her to resign." "Because..." " Isn't that true?" " Yes." "You lost your job?" "Five different parents submitted letters demanding my resignation." "Kamaladi told me personally." "The woman who liked you so much?" "She felt really bad about it." "What else could she do?" "It was the school committee's decision." "I was still in my trial period anyway." " This is Nisith." " Good morning." "I presume I no longer work for the hospital?" "The committee has suspended you and issued an order to show cause." "If you can't answer satisfactorily, you'll be dismissed." "Thanks." " There's one more thing." " What?" "If you admit fault, you won't lose your job." "You know very well that is the last thing I will do." "Then things will stay as they are." "Very well." "We have a proposition for you." "It could change public opinion about you." "Get out." "Immediately!" "Get out, or I'll have you thrown out!" "What is it?" "I have lost." "I have no strength left to fight back." "Did Nisith call?" "Your job?" " Chandan." " Yes, sir?" "Please tell them that the doctor can't see anybody now." "It's Ronen, Father." "He has something to tell you." "If it's Ronen, let him in." "Because of this wretch of a man... you've lost everything, Ranu." "I don't know how to console you." "Why are you taking this so hard?" "You still have your private practice." "There's no better doctor than you in Chandipur." "If need be, I can start tutoring." "That will be enough to see us through." "What's wrong?" "Are you ill?" "My world is crumbling to pieces." "How can I not be ill?" "Biresh called me." "He has something to tell you." "He didn't want to come by himself." "Your editor was here a while ago." "I threw him out." "He's not my editor anymore, Doctor." "I don't work for Janavarta anymore." "What?" "I work freelance now." "Really?" "Please, sit down." "Tell me about it." "I couldn't tolerate the way Janavarta treated you." "And last night's meeting was a farce." "I want to send a report on the meeting to all of Calcutta's newspapers, along with an interview where you can express yourself freely." "But that's wonderful!" "That's exactly what I want, to inform people and let them judge for themselves." "Maya, please bring some tea." "I'd be delighted to give an interview." "You can call it "Confessions of an Enemy of the People"." "Did you see what they wrote outside?" "Before you start the interview, may I speak to you?" "Could you have a look at these proofs?" "What proofs?" "The article you wrote which Janavarta refused to publish." "Ranu had a copy." "She gave it to me." "We're publishing it as a pamphlet and distributing it door to door." " So, there is still hope?" " Of course." "There will be clean water in the temple again." "We'll campaign for you until people come to their senses." "I thought the ground had slipped from under my feet." "The thought of leaving this house," "Ranu losing her job, I" " Long live Ashoke Gupta!" " Long may he live!" "What's happening?" "They're coming to see you." "Who are they?" "My theater group, and other educated men and women." "They had a meeting last night, and today they are coming to tell you that they are behind you." "This is unbelievable!" "Long live Ashoke Gupta?" "Who are they?" "I'm not alone." "I'm not alone." "I may be an enemy of the people, but I have a lot of friends." "We'll stay here." "Our work is here."