Lucknow: In an engaging discussion with Jayant Krishna, former diplomat TCA Raghavan delved into the themes of his latest book, Circle of Freedom, the fourth in his series exploring India’s freedom movement. Raghavan, who previously served as Indian High Commissioner of Pakistan and Singapore, has also authored the award-winning Tendent Law, earning the Mohammad Habib Award for Historical Writing.
The conversation highlighted Circle of Freedom’s exploration of India’s independence through the intertwined lives of unsung freedom fighters like Sarojini Naidu, Aruna Asaf Ali, Syed Mehmood, Syed Hussain, and Asaf Ali. Raghavan reflected on how friendships, loyalty, and love shaped the independence movement while revealing the personal sacrifices made by its protagonists. For instance, Asaf Ali faced ostracization for marrying Aruna, a Hindu woman, but their enduring partnership symbolized communal harmony.
Raghavan also touched on poetic influences, such as Rabindranath Tagore’s impact on Asaf Ali, and how political leaders, including Atal Bihari Vajpayee, embraced poetry to express profound ideas. The book examines the evolution of figures like Jinnah, who transitioned from being an ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity to a proponent of Partition. Ultimately, Raghavan’s work celebrates lesser-known contributions to the freedom struggle, emphasizing how history is shaped by personal dynamics and evolving ideologies.
