शराब की दुकान -प्रेमचंद

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is lekh ka punarikshan evan sampadan hona avashyak hai. ap isamean sahayata kar sakate haian. "sujhav"

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kaangres kameti mean yah saval pesh tha-sharab aur ta di ki dookanoan par kaun dharana dene jay? kameti ke pachchis membar sir jhukaye baithe the; par kisi ke muanh se bat n nikalati thi. muamala b da najuk tha. pulis ke hathoan giraphtar ho jana to zyada mushkil bat n thi. pulis ke karmachari apani zimmedariyoan ko samajhate haian. chooanki achchhe aur bure to sabhi jagah hote haian, lekin pulis ke aphasar, kuchh logoan ko chho d kar, sabhyata se itane khali nahian hote ki jati aur desh par jan denevaloan ke sath durvyavahar karean; lekin nashebajoan mean yah zimmedari kahaan? unamean to adhikaansh aise log hote haian, jinhean ghu daki-dhamaki ke siva aur kisi shakti ke samane jhukane ki adat nahian. marapit se nasha hiran ho sakata hai; par shaantivadiyoan ke lie to vah daravaza band hai. tab kaun is okhali mean sir de, kaun piyakk doan ki galiyaan khay? bahut sambhav hai ki ve hathapaee kar baithean. unake hathoan pitana kise manjoor ho sakata tha? phir pulisavale bhi baithe tamasha n dekheange. unhean aur bhi bh dakate raheange. pulis ki shah pa kar ye nashe ke bande jo kuchh n kar dalean, vah tho da ! eeant ka javab patthar se de nahian sakate aur is samuday par vinati ka koee asar nahian !

ek membar ne kaha-mere vichar mean to in jatoan mean panchayatoan ko phir sanbhalana chahie. idhar hamari laparavahi se unaki panchayatean nirjiv ho gayi haian. isake siva mujhe to aur koee upay nahian soojhata.

sabhapati ne kaha-haan, yah ek upay hai. maian ise not kiye leta hooan, par dharana dena zaroori hai.

doosare mahashay bole-unake gharoan par ja kar samajhaya jay, to achchha asar hoga.

sabhapati ne apani chikani khop di sahalate hue kaha-yah bhi achchha upay hai; magar dharane ko ham log tyag nahian sakate.

phir sannata ho gaya.

pichhali katar mean ek devi bhi maun baithi huee thian. jab koee membar bolata vah ek najar usaki taraph dal kar phir sir jhuka leti thian. yahi kaangres ki ledi membar thian. unake pati mahashay ji. pi. saksena kaangres ke achchhe kam karanevaloan mean the. unaka dehaant hue tin sal ho gaye the. misej saksena ne idhar ek sal se kaangres ke kamoan mean bhag lena shuroo kar diya tha aur kaangres kameti ne unhean apana membar chun liya tha. vah sharif gharanoan mean ja kar svadeshi aur khaddar ka prachar karati thian. jab kabhi kaangres ke pletapharm par bolane kh di hotian to unaka josh dekh kar aisa maloom hota tha mano akash mean u d jana chahati haian. kuandan ka-sa rang lal ho jata tha, b di-b di karun aankhean jinamean jal bhara hua maloom hota tha, chamakane lagati thian. b di khushamizaj aur isake sath bala ki nirbhik stri thian. dabi huee chinagari thi, jo hava pakar dahak uthati hai. unake mamooli shabdoan mean itana akarshan kahaan se a jata tha, kah nahian sakate. kameti ke kee javan membar, jo pahale kaangres mean bahut kam ate the, ab bila naga ane lage the. misej saksena koee bhi prastav karean, unaka anumodan karanevaloan ki kami n thi. unaki sadagi, unaka utsah, unaki vinay, unaki mridu-vani kaangres par unaka sikka jamaye deti thi. har adami unaki khatir samman ki sima tay karata tha, par unaki svabhavik namrata unhean apane daivi sadhanoan se poora-poora fayada n uthane deti thi. jab kamare mean atian, log kh de ho jate the; par vah pichhali saph se age n badhati thian.

misej saksena ne pradhan se poochha-sharab ki dookanoan par auratean dharana de sakati haian?

sabaki aankhean unaki or uth gayian. is prashn ka ashay sab samajh gaye.

pradhan ne katar svar mean kaha-mahatma ji ne to yah kam auratoan hi ko supurd karane par zor diya hai par...

misej saksena ne unhean apana vaky poora n karane diya. bolian-to phir mujhe is kam par bhej dijie.

logoan ne kutoohal ki aankhoan se misej saksena ko dekha. yah sukumari jisake komal aangoan mean shayad hava bhi chubhati ho, gandi galiyoan mean ta di aur sharab ki durgandh-bhari dookanoan ke samane jane aur nashe se pagal adamiyoan ki kalushit aankhoan aur baanhoan ka samana karane ko kaise taiyar ho gayi.

ek mahashay ne apane samip ke adami ke kan mean kaha-bala ki nidar aurat hai.

un mahashay ne jale hue shabdoan mean uttar diya-ham logoan ko kaantoan mean ghasitana chahati haian, aur kuchh nahian. vah bechari kya piketiang kareangi. dookan ke samane kh da tak to hua n jayega.

pradhan ne sir jhuka kar kaha-maian apake sahas aur utsarg ki prashansa karata hooan, lekin mere vichar mean abhi is shahar ki dasha aisi nahian hai ki deviyaan piketiang kar sakean. apako khabar nahian, nashebaj kitane muanhaphat hote haian. vinay to vah janate hi nahian !

misej saksena ne vyangy-bhav se kaha-to kya apaka vichar hai ki koee aisa jamana bhi ayega, jab sharabi log vinay aur shil ke putale ban jayeange? yah dasha to hamesha hi rahegi. akhir mahatma ji ne kuchh samajh kar hi to auratoan ko yah kam sauanpa hai. maian nahian kah sakati ki mujhe kahaan tak saphalata hogi; par is kartavy ko talane se kam n chalega.

pradhan ne pasopesh mean p d kar kaha-maian to apako is kam ke lie ghasitana uchit nahian samajhata, age apako akhtiyar hai.

misej saksena ne jaise vinay ka aliangan karate hue kaha-maian apake pas phariyad le kar n aooangi ki mujhe phalaan adami ne mara ya gali di. itana janati hooan ki agar maian saphal ho gayi, to aisi striyoan ki kami n rahegi jo is kam ko solahoan ane apane hath mean n le lean.

is par ek naujavan membar ne kaha-maian sabhapati ji se nivedan karooanga ki misej saksena ko yah kam de kar ap hiansa ka samana kar rahe haian. isase yah kahian achchha hai ki ap mujhe yah kam sauanpean.

misej saksena ne garm hokar kaha-apake hathoan hiansa hone ka dar aur bhi zyada hai.

is naujavan membar ka nam tha jayaram. ek bar ek k da vyakhyan dene ke lie jel ho aye the, par us vakt unake sir grihasthi ka bhar n tha. qanoon padhate the. ab unaka vivah ho gaya tha, do-tin bachche bhi ho gaye the, dasha badal gayi thi. dil mean vahi josh, vahi t dap, vahi dard tha, par apani halat se majaboor the.

misej saksena ki or namr agrah se dekh kar bole-ap meri khatir is gande kam mean hath n dalean. mujhe ek saptah ka avasar dijie. agar is bich mean kahian danga ho jaye, to apako mujhe nikal dene ka adhikar hoga.

misej saksena jayaram ko khoob janati thian. unhean maloom tha ki yah tyag aur sahas ka putala hai aur ab tak paristhitiyoan ke karan pichhe dabaka hua tha. isake sath hi vah yah bhi janati thian ki isamean vah dhairy aur bardasht nahian hai, jo piketiang ke lie lajami hai. jel mean usane daroga ko apashabd kahane par chaanta lagaya tha aur usaki saza tin mahine aur badh gayi thi. bolian-apake sir grihasthi ka bhar hai. maian ghamand nahian karati par jitane dhairy se maian yah kam kar sakati hooan, ap nahian kar sakate.

jayaram ne usi namr agrah ke sath kaha-ap mere pichhale rekard par phaisala kar rahi haian. ap bhool jati haian ki adami ki avastha ke sath usaki uddandata ghatati jati hai.

pradhan ne kaha-maian chahata hooan, mahashay jayaram is kam ko apane hathoan mean lean.

jayaram ne prasann ho kar kaha-maian sachche hriday se apako dhanyavad deta hooan.

misej saksena ne nirash ho kar kaha-mahashay, jayaram, apane mere sath b da anyay kiya hai aur maian ise kabhi kshama n karooangi. ap logoan ne is bat ka aj naya parichay de diya ki purushoan ke adhin striyaan apane desh ki seva bhi nahian kar sakatian.

2

doosare din, tisare pahar jayaram paanch svayansevakoan ko le kar begamaganj ke sharabakhane ki piketiang karane ja pahuancha. ta di aur sharab-donoan ki dookanean mili huee thian. thikedar bhi ek hi tha. dookan ke samane, s dak ki patari par, aandar ke aangan mean nashebajoan ki toliyaan vish mean amrit ka anand loot rahi thian. koee vahaan aphalatoon se kam n tha. kahian virata ki diang thi, kahian apane dan-dakshina ke pach de, kahian apane buddhi-kaushal ka alap. ahankar nashe ka mukhy roop hai.

ek boodha sharabi kah raha tha-bhaiya, jiandagani ka bharosa nahian. haan, koee bharosa nahian. meri bat man lo, jiandagani ka koee bharosa nahian. bas yahi khana-khilana yad rah jayega. dhan-daulat, jagah-jamin sab dhari rah jayegi !

do ta divaloan mean ek doosari bahas chhi di huee thi-

‘ham-tum riaya haian bhaee ! hamari majal hai ki sarakar ke samane sir utha sakean?’

‘apane ghar mean baithakar badashah ko galiyaan de lo; lekin maidan mean ana kathin hai.’

‘kahaan ki bat bhaiya, sarakar to b di chiz hai, lal pag di dekh kar to ghar bhag jate ho.’

‘chhota adami bhar-pet khake baithata hai, to samajhata hai, ab badashah hamian haian. lekin apani haisiyat ko bhoolana n chahie.’

‘bahut pakki bat kahate ho khaan sahab. apani asaliyat par date raho. jo raja hai, vah raja hai, jo paraja hai, vah paraja hai. bhala paraja kahian raja ho sakata hai?’

itane mean jayaram ne a kar kaha-ram ram bhaiyo, ram ram !

paanch-chhah khaddaradari manushyoan ko dekh kar sabhi log unaki or shanka aur kutoohal se takane lage. dookanadar ne chupake se apane ek naukar ke kan mean kuchh kaha aur naukar dookan se utar kar chala gaya.

jayaram ne jhande ko zamin par kh da karake kaha-bhaiyo, mahatma gaandhi ka hukm hai ki ap log ta di-sharab n piyean. jo rupaye ap yahaan u da dete haian, vah agar apane bal-bachchoan ko khilane-pilane mean kharch karean, to kitani achchhi bat ho. jara der ke nashe ke lie ap apane bal-bachchoan ko bhookhoan marate haian. gande gharoan mean rahate haian, mahajan ki galiyaan khate haian. sochie, is rupaye se ap apane pyare bachchoan ko kitane aram se rakh sakate haian !

ek boodhe sharabi ne apane sathi se kaha-bhaiya, hai to buri chij, ghar tabah karake chho d deti hai. muda itani umir pite kat gayi, to ab marate dam kya chho dean? usake sathi ne samarthan kiya-pakki bat kahate ho chaudhari ! jab itani umir pite kat gayi, to ab marate dam kya chho dean?

jayaram ne kaha-vah chaudhari, yahi to umir hai chho dane ki. javani to divani hoti hai, us vakt sab kuchh muaph hai.

chaudhari ne to koee javab n diya; lekin usake sathi ne jo kala, mota, b di-b di mooanchhoanvala adami tha, saral apatti ke bhav se kaha-agar pina bura hai, to aangarez kyoan pite haian?

jayaram vakil tha, usase bahas karana bhi d ke chhatte ko chhe dana tha. bola-yah tumane bahut achchha saval poochha bhaee. aangarejoan ke bap-dada abhi dedh-do sau sal pahale lutere the. hamare-tumhare bap-dada rrishi-muni the. luteroan ki santan piye, to pine do. unake pas n koee dharm hai, n niti; lekin rrishiyoan ki santan unaki nakal kyoan kare. ham aur tum un mahatmaoan ki santan haian, jinhoanne duniya ko sikhaya, jinhoanne duniya ko adami banaya. ham apana dharm chho d baithe, usi ka phal hai ki aj ham gulam haian. lekin ab hamane gulami ki janjiroan ko to dane ka phaisala kar liya hai aur...

ekaek thanedar aur char-paanch kaanstebal a kh de hue.

thanedar ne chaudhari se poochha-yah log tumako dhamaka rahe haian?

chaudhari ne kh de ho kar kaha-nahian huzoor, yah to hamean samajha rahe haian. kaise prem se samajha rahe haian ki vah !

thanedar ne jayaram se kaha-agar yahaan phisad ho jaye, to ap zimmedar hoange?

jayaram-maian us vakt tak zimmedar hooan, jab tak ap n rahean.

‘apaka matalab hai ki maian phisad karane aya hooan?’

‘maian yah nahian kahata, lekin ap aye haian, to aangareji samrajy ki atul shakti ka parichay zaroor hi dijiega. janata mean uttejana phailegi. tab ap pil p deange aur das-bis adamiyoan ko mar girayeange. vahi sab jagah hota hai aur yahaan bhi hoga.’

sab inspektar ne oanth chaba kar kaha-maian apase kahata hooan, yahaan se chale jaie, varana mujhe jabate ki karravaee karani p degi.

jayaram ne avichal bhav se kaha-aur maian apase kahata hooan ki ap mujhe apana kam karane dijie. mere bahut-se bhaee yahaan jama haian aur mujhe unase batachit karane ka utana hi hak hai jitana apako.

is vakt tak saik doan darshak jama ho gaye the. daroga ne aphasaroan se poochhe bagair aur koee karravaee karana uchit n samajha. ak date hue dookan par gaye aur kursi par paanv rakh kar bole-ye log to mananevale nahian haian !

dookanadar ne gi dagi dakar kaha-huzoor, meri to badhiya baith jayegi.

daroga-do-char guande bula kar bhaga kyoan nahian dete? maian kuchh n bolooanga. haan, jara ek botal achchhi-si bhej dena. kal n jane kya bhej diya, kuchh maja hi nahian aya.

thanedar chala gaya, to chaudhari ne apane sathi se kaha-dekha kalloo, thanedar kitana big d raha tha? sarakar chahati hai ki ham log khoob sharab piyean aur koee hamean samajhane n paye. sharab ka paisa bhi to sarakar hi mean jata hai?

kalloo ne darshanik bhav se kaha-har ek bahane se paisa khianchate haian sab !

chaudhari-to phir kya salah hai? hai to buri chij.

kalloo-bahut buri chiz hai bhaiya, mahatma ji ka hukm hai, to chho d hi dena chahie.

chaudhari-achchha to yah lo, aj se agar piye to dogala.

yah kahate hue chaudhari ne botal zamin par patak di. adhi botal sharab zamin par bah kar sookh gayi.

jayaram ko shayad ziandagi mean kabhi itani khushi n huee thi. jor-jor se taliyaan baja kar uchhal pade़.

usi vakt donoan ta di pinevaloan ne bhi ‘mahatma ji ki jay’ pukari aur apani haan di zamin par patak di. ek svayansevak ne lapak kar phooloan ki mala li aur charoan adamiyoan ke gale mean dal di.

3

s dak ki patari par kee nashebaj baithe in charoan adamiyoan ki taraph us durbal bhakti se tak rahe the, jo purusharthahin manushyoan ka lakshan hai. vahaan ek bhi aisa vyakti n tha, jo aangarejoan ki maans-madira ya ta di ko ziandagi ke lie anivary samajhata ho aur usake bagair ziandagi ki kalpana bhi n kar sake. sabhi log nashe ko dooshit samajhate the, keval durbalendriy hone ke karan nity a kar pi jate the. chaudhari jaise ghagh piyakk d ko botal patakate dekh kar unaki aankhean khul gayian.

ek mariyal dadhivale adami ne akar chaudhari ki pith thoanki. chaudhari ne use pichhe dhakel kar kaha-pith kya thoankate ho ji, jakar apani botal patak do.

dadhivale ne kaha-aj aur pi lene do chaudhari ! allah janata hai, kal se idhar bhool kar bhi n aooanga.

chaudhari-jitani bachi ho, usake paise hamase le lo. ghar ja kar bachchoan ko mithaee khila dena.

dadhivale ne ja kar botal patak di aur bola-lo, tum bhi kya kahoge? ab to hue khush.

chaudhari-ab to n piyoge kabhi?

dadhivale ne kaha-agar tum n piyoge, to maian bhi n piooanga. jis din tumane pi, usi din phir shuroo kar di.

chaudhari ki tatparata ne duragrah ki j dean hila dian. bahar abhi paanch-chhah adami aur the. ve sachet nirlajjata se baithe hue abhi tak pite jate the. jayaram ne unake samane ja kar kaha-bhaiyo, apake paanch bhaiyoan ne abhi apake samane apani-apani botal patak di. kya ap un logoan ko bazi jit le jane deange?

ek thigane, kale adami ne jo kisi aangarez ka khanasama maloom hota tha, lal-lal aankhean nikal kar kaha-ham pite haian tumase matalab? tumase bhikh maangane to nahian jate?

jayaram ne samajh liya, ab bazi mar li. gumarah adami jab vivad karane par utar aye, to samajh lo, vah raste par a jayega. chuppa aib vah chikana gh da hai, jis par kisi bat ka asar nahian hota.

jayaram ne kaha-agar maian apane ghar mean ag lagaooan to use dekh kar kya ap mera hath n pak d leange? mujhe to isamean ratti bhar sandeh nahian hai ki ap mera hath hi n pak d leange balki mujhe vahaan se jabaradasti khianch le jayeange.

chaudhari ne khanasama ki taraph mugdh aankhoan se dekha, mano kah raha hai-isaka tumhare pas kya javab hai? aur bola-jamadar, ab isi bat par botal patak do.

khanasama ne jaise kat khane ke lie daant tej kar liye aur bola-botal kyoan patak dooan, paise nahian diye haian?

chaudhari parast ho gaya. jayaram se bola-inhean chho die baboo ji, yah log is tarah mananevale asami nahian haian. ap inake samane jan bhi de dean to bhi sharab n chho deange. haan, pulis ki ek ghu daki pa jayean to phir kabhi idhar bhool kar bhi n ayean.

khanasama ne chaudhari ki or tiraskar ke bhav se dekha, jaise kah raha ho-kya tum samajhate ho ki maian hi manushy hooan, yah sab pashu haian? phir bola-tumase kya matalab hai ji, kyoan bich mean koode p date ho? maian to baboo ji se bat kar raha hooan. tum kaun hote ho bich mean bolanevale? maian tumhari tarah nahian hooan ki botal patak kar vah-vah karaooan. kal phir muanh mean kalikh lagaooan, ghar par mangava kar piooan? jab yahaan chho deange, to sachche dil se chho deange. phir koee lakh rupaye bhi de to aankh utha kar n dekhean.

jayaram-mujhe ap logoan se aisi hi asha hai.

chaudhari ne khanasama ki or kataksh karake kaha-kya samajhate ho, maian kal phir pine aooanga?

khanasama ne uddandata se kaha-haan-haan, kahata hooan tum aoge aur bad kar aoge. kaho, pakke kagaz par likh dooan.

chaudhari-achchha bhaee, tum b de dharamatma ho, maian papi sahi. tum chho doge to ziandagi bhar ke lie chho doge, maian aj chho d kar kal phir pine lagooanga, yahi sahi. meri ek bat gaanth baandh lo. tum us bakhat chho doge, jab ziandagi tumhara sath chho d degi. isake pahale tum nahian chho d sakate.

khanasama-tum mere dil ka hal kya janate ho?

chaudhari-janata hooan, tumhare jaise saik doan adami ko bhugat chuka hooan.

khanasama-to tumane aise-vaise besharmoan ko dekha hoga. hayadar adamiyoan ko n dekha hoga.

yah kahate hue usane ja kar botal patak di aur bola-ab agar tum is dookan par dekhana, to muanh mean kalikh laga dena.

charoan taraph taliyaan bajane lagian. mard aise hote haian.

thikedar ne dookan ke niche utar kar kaha-tum log apani-apani dookan par kyoan nahian jate ji? maian to kisi ki dookan par nahian jata?

ek darshak ne kaha-kh de haian, to tumase matalab? s dak tumhari nahian hai? tum gariboan ko loote jao. kisi ke bal-bachche bhookhoan marean tumhara kya big data hai. (doosare sharabiyoan se) kya yaro, ab bhi pite jaoge ! janate ho, yah kisaka hukm hai? are kuchh bhi to sharm karo?

jayaram ne darshakoan se kaha-ap log yahaan bhi d n lagayean aur n kisi ko bhala-bura kahean !

magar darshakoan ka samooh badhata jata tha. abhi tak char-paanch adami be-gam baithe hue kulh d par kulh d chadha rahe the. ek manachale adami ne ja kar us botal ko utha liya, jo unake bich mean rakhi huee thi aur use patakana chahata tha ki charoan sharabi uth kh de hue aur use pitane lage. jayaram aur usake svayansevak turant vahaan pahuanch gaye aur use bachane ki cheshta karane lage ki charoan use chho d kar jayaram ki taraph lapake. darshakoan ne dekha ki jayaram par mar p da chahati hai, to kee adami jhalla kar un charoan sharabiyoan par toot p de. latean, ghooanse aur dande chalane lage. jayaram ko isaka kuchh avasar n milata tha ki kisi ko samajhaye. donoan hath phailaye un charoan ke varoan se bach raha tha; vah charoan bhi ape se bahar ho kar darshakoan par dande chala rahe the. jayaram donoan taraph se mar khata tha. sharabiyoan ke var bhi us par p date the, tamashaiyoan ke var bhi usi par p date the, par vah unake bich se hatata n tha. agar vah is vakt apani jan bacha kar hat jata, to sharabiyoan ki khairiyat n thi. isaka dosh kaangres par p data. vah kaangres ko is akshep se bachane ke lie apane pran dene par taiyar tha. misej saksena ko apane oopar hansane ka mauqa vah n dena chahata tha.

akhir usake sir par danda is zor se p da ki vah sir pak d kar baith gaya. aankhoan ke samane titaliyaan u dane lagian. phir use hosh n raha.

4

jayaram sari rat behosh p da raha. doosare din subah ko jab use hosh aya, to sari deh mean pi da ho rahi thi aur kamazori itani thi ki rah-rah kar ji doobata jata tha. ekaek sirahane ki taraph aankh uth gayi, to misej saksena baithi najऱ ayian. unhean dekhate hi svayansevakoan ke mana karane par bhi uth baitha. dard aur kamazori donoan jaise gayab ho gayi. ek-ek aang mean sphoorti dau d gayi.

misej saksena ne usake sir par hath rakh kar kaha-apako b di chot ayi. isaka sara dosh mujh par hai.

jayaram ne bhaktimay kritajnata ke bhav se dekh kar kaha-chot to aisi zyada n thi, in logoan ne barabas patti-satti baandh kar jakhmi bana diya.

misej saksena ne glanit hokar kaha-mujhe apako n jane dena chahie tha.

jayaram-apaka vahaan jana uchit n tha. maian apase ab bhi yahi anurodh karooanga ki us taraph n jaiega.

misej saksena ne jaise un badhaoan par hans kar kaha-vah ! mujhe aj se vahaan piket karane ki ajna mil gayi hai.

‘ap meri itani vinay man jaiega. shohadoan ke lie avaz kasana bilakul mamooli bat hai.’

‘maian avajoan ki paravah nahian karati !’

‘to phir maian bhi apake sath chalooanga.’

‘ap is halat mean?’-misej saksena ne ashchary se kaha.

‘maian bilakul achchha hooan, sach !’

‘yah nahian ho sakata. jab tak daktar yah n kah dega ki ab ap vahaan jane ke yogy haian, apako n jane dooangi. kisi tarah nahian.’

‘to maian bhi apako n jane dooanga.’

misej saksena ne mridu-vyangy ke sath kaha-ap bhi any purushoan hi ki bhaanti svarth ke putale haian. sada yash khud lootana chahate haian, auratoan ko koee mauqa nahian dena chahate. kam se kam yah to dekh lijie ki maian bhi kuchh kar sakati hooan ya nahian.

jayaram ne vyathit kanth se kaha-jaisi apaki ichchha.

5

tisare pahar misej saksena char svayansevakoan ke sath begamaganj chalian.

jayaram aankhean band kiye charapaee par p da tha. shor sun kar chauanka aur apani stri se poochha-yah kaisa shor hai?

stri ne khi daki se jhaankakar dekha aur boli-vah aurat, jo kal ayi thi jhanda liye kee adamiyoan ke sath ja rahi hai. ise sharm bhi nahian ati.

jayaram ne usake chehare par kshama ki drishti dali aur vichar mean doob gaya. phir vah uth kh da hua aur bola-maian bhi vahian jata hooan.

stri ne usaka hath pak d kar kaha-abhi kal mar kha kar aye ho, aj phir jane ki soojhi !

jayaram ne hath chhu da kar kaha-tum use mar kahati ho, maian use upahar samajhata hooan.

stri ne usaka rasta rok liya-kahati hooan, tumhara ji achchha nahian hai, mat jao, kyoan meri jan ke grahak hue ho? usaki deh mean hire nahian j de haian, jo vahaan koee noch lega.

jayaram ne minnat karake kaha-meri tabiyat bilakul achchhi hai chammoo ! agar kuchh kasar hai to vah bhi mit jayegi. bhala socho, yah kaise mumakin hai ki ek devi un shohadoan ke bich mean piketiang karane jay aur maian baitha rahooan. mera vahaan rahana zaroori hai. agar koee bat a p di, to kam se kam maian logoan ko samajha to sakooanga.

chammoo ne jal kar kaha-yah kyoan nahian kahate ki koee aur hi chiz khianche liye jati hai !

jayaram ne muskara kar usaki or dekha, jaise kah raha ho-yah bat tumhare dil se nahian, kanth se nikal rahi hai aur katara kar nikal gaya. phir dvar par kh da ho kar bola-shahar mean tin lakh se kuchh hi kam adami haian, kameti mean bhi tis membar haian, magar sab ke sab ji chura rahe haian. logoan ko achchha bahana mil gaya ki sharabakhanoan par dharana dene ke lie striyoan hi ki zaroorat hai? akhir kyoan striyoan hi ko is kam ke lie upayukt samajha jata hai? isilie ki maradoan ke sir bhoot savar ho jata hai aur jahaan namrata se kam lena chahie, vahaan log ugrata se kam lene lagate haian. ve deviyaan kya isi yogy haian ki shohadoan ke phikare sunean aur unaki kudrishti ka nishana banean? kam se kam maian yah nahian dekh sakata.

vah lang data hua ghar se nikal p da. chammoo ne phir use rokane ka prayas nahian kiya. raste mean ek svayansevak mil gaya. jayaram ne use sath liya aur ek taange par baith kar chala. sharabakhane se kuchh door idhar ek lemaned-barf ki dookan thi. usane taange ko chho d diya aur valantiyar ko sharabakhane bhej kar khud usi dookan mean ja baitha.

dookanadar ne lemaned ka ek gilas use dete hue kaha-baboo ji, kalavale charoan badamash aj phir aye hue haian. apane n bachaya hota to aj sharab ya ta di ki jagah haldi-gu d pite hote.

jayaram ne gilas lekar kaha-tum log bich mean n kood p date, to maianne un saboan ko thik kar liya hota.

dookanadar ne prativad kiya-nahian baboo ji, vah sab chhante hue guande haian. maian to unhean apani dookan ke samane kh da bhi nahian hone deta. charoan tin-tin sal kat aye haian.

abhi bis minat bhi n gujare hoange ki ek svayansevak akar kh da ho gaya. jayaram ne sachiant hokar poochha-kaho, vahaan kya ho raha hai?

svayansevak ne kuchh aisa muanh bana liya, jaise vahaan ki dasha kahana vah uchit nahian samajhata aur bola-kuchh nahian, devi ji adamiyoan ko samajha rahi haian.

jayaram ne usaki or atript netroan se taka, mano kah rahe hoan-bas itana hi ! itana to maian janata hi tha.

svayansevak ne ek kshan bad phir kaha-deviyoan ka aise shohadoan ke samane jana achchha nahian.

jayaram ne adhir hokar poochha-saph-saph kyoan nahian kahate, kya bat hai?

svayansevak darate-darate bola-sab ke sab unase dillagi kar rahe haian. deviyoan ka yahaan ana achchha nahian.

jayaram ne aur kuchh n poochha. danda uthaya aur lal-lal aankhean nikale bijali ki tarah kauandh kar sharabakhane ke samane ja pahuancha aur misej saksena ka hath pak d kar pichhe hatata hua sharabiyoan se bola-agar tum logoan ne deviyoan ke sath jara bhi gustakhi ki, to tumhare hak mean achchha n hoga. kal maianne tum logoan ki jan bachayi thi aj isi dande se tumhari khop di to d kar rakh dooanga.

usake badale hue tevar ko dekh kar sab ke sab nashebaj ghab da gaye. ve kuchh kahana chahate the ki misej saksena ne gambhir bhav se poochha-ap yahaan kyoan aye? maianne to apase kaha tha, apani jagah se n hiliega. maianne to apase madad n maangi thi?

jayaram ne lajjit hokar kaha-maian is niyat se yahaan nahian aya tha. ek zaroorat se idhar a nikala tha. yahaan jamav dekh kar a gaya. mere khayal mean ap ab yahaan se chalean. maian aj kaangres kameti mean yah saval pesh karooanga ki is kam ke lie purushoan ko bhejean.

misej saksena ne tikhe svar mean kaha-apake vichar mean duniya ke sare kam maradoan ke lie haian.

jayaram-mera yah matalab n tha.

misej saksena-to ap ja kar aram se letean aur mujhe apana kam karane dean.

jayaram vahian sir jhukaye kh da raha.

misej saksena ne poochha-ab ap kyoan kh de haian?

jayaram ne vinit svar mean kaha-maian bhi yahian ek kinare kh da rahooanga.

misej saksena ne kathor svar mean kaha-ji nahian, ap jayean.

jayaram dhire-dhire ladi huee ga di ki bhaanti chala aur a kar phir usi lemaned ki dookan par baith gaya. use zor ki pyas lagi thi. usane ek gilas sharbat banavaya aur samane mej par rakh kar vichar mean doob gaya; magar aankhean aur kan usi taraph lage hue the.

jab koee adami dookan par ata, vah chauank kar usaki taraph takane lagata-vahaan koee nayi bat to nahian ho gayi?

koee adh ghante bad vahi svayansevak phir dara hua-sa a kar kh da ho gaya. jayaram ne udasin banane ki cheshta karake poochha-vahaan kya ho raha hai ji?

svayansevak ne kanoan par hath rakh kar kaha-maian kuchh nahian janata baboo ji, mujhase kuchh n poochhie.

jayaram ne ek sath hi namr aur kathor hokar poochha-phir koee chhe dachha d huee?

svayansevak-ji nahian, koee chhe dachha d nahian huee. ek adami ne devi ji ko dhakka de diya, ve gir p dian.

jayaram nispand baitha raha; par usake aantaral mean bhookamp-sa macha hua tha. bola-unake sath ke svayansevak kya kar rahe haian?

‘kh de haian, deviji unhean bolane hi nahian detian.’

‘to kya b de zor se dhakka diya?’

‘ji haan, gir p dian. ghutanoan mean chot a gayi. ve adami sath pi rahe the. jab ek botal u d gayi, to unamean se ek adami doosari botal lene chala. devi ji ne rasta rok liya. bas, usane dhakka de diya. vahi jo kala-kala mota sa adami hai ! kalavale charoan adamiyoan ki shararat hai.’

jayaram unmad ki dasha mean vahaan se utha aur dau data hua sharabakhane ke samane aya. misej saksena sir pak de zamin par baithi huee thian aur vah kala mota adami dookan ke kathaghare ke samane kh da tha. pachasoan adami jama the. jayaram ne use dekhate hi lapak kar usaki gardan pak d li aur itane zor se dabayi ki usaki aankhean bahar nikal ayian. maloom hota tha, usake hath faulad ke ho gaye haian.

sahasa misej saksena ne akar usaka fauladi hath pak d liya aur bhavean siko d kar bolian-chho d do isaki gardan ! kya isaki jan le loge?

jayaram ne aur zor se usaki gardan dabayi aur bola-haan, le looanga. aise dusht ki yahi saza hai.

misej saksena ne adhikar-garv se gardan utha kar kaha-apako yahaan ane ka koee adhikar nahian hai.

ek darshak ne kaha-aisa dabao baboo ji, ki sala thanda ho jaye. isane devi ji ko aisa dhakela ki bechari gir p dian. hamean to bolane ka hukm nahian hai, nahian to haddi to d kar rakh dete.

jayaram ne sharabi ki gardan chho d di. vah kisi baj ke changul se chhooti huee chi diya ki tarah sahama hua kh da ho gaya. use ek dhakka dete hue usane misej saksena se kaha-ap yahaan se chalatian kyoan nahian? ap jayean, maian baithata hooan; agar ek chhataank sharab bik jay, to mera kan pak d lijiyega.

usaka dam phoolane laga, aankhoan ke samane aandhera chha raha tha. vah kh da n rah saka. zamin par baith kar roomal se mathe ka pasina poanchhane laga.

misej saksena ne parihas karake kaha-ap kaangres nahian haian ki maian apaka hukm manooan. agar ap yahaan se n jayeange, to maian satyagrah karooangi.

phir ekaek kathor ho kar bolian-jab tak kaangres ne is kam ka bhar mujh par rakha hai, apako mere bich mean bolane ka koee hak nahian hai. ap mera apaman kar rahe haian. kaangres kameti ke samane apako isaka javab dena hoga.

jayaram tilamila utha. bina koee javab diye laut p da. aur veg se ghar ki taraph chala; par jyoan-jyoan age badhata tha usaki gati mand hoti jati thi. yahaan tak ki bazar ke doosare sire par akar vah ruk gaya. rassi yahaan khatm ho gayi. usake age jana usake lie asadhy ho gaya. jis jhatake ne use yahaan tak bheja tha, usaki shakti ab shesh ho gayi thi. un shabdoan mean jo katuta aur chot thi, usamean ab use sahanubhooti aur sneh ki sugandh a rahi thi.

use phir chianta huee n jane vahaan kya ho raha hai. kahian un badamashoan ne aur koee dushtata n ki ho, ya pulis n a jaye.

vah bazar ki taraph mu da lekin ek qadam hi chal kar phir ruk gaya. aise pasopesh mean vah kabhi n p da tha.

sahasa use vahi svayansevak dau data ata dikhayi diya. vah badahavas hokar usase milane ke lie khud bhi usaki taraph dau da. bich mean donoan mil gaye.

jayaram ne haanphate hue poochha-kya hua? kyoan bhage ja rahe ho?

svayansevak ne dam le kar kaha-b da gajab ho gaya baboo ji ! apake ane ke bad vah kala sharabi botal le kar dookan se chala, to devi ji daravaze par baith gayian. vah bar-bar devi ji ko hata kar nikalana chahata hai; par vah phir a kar baith jati haian. dhakkam-dhakke mean unake kuchh kap de phat gaye haian aur kuchh chot bhi...

abhi bat poori n huee thi ki jayaram sharabakhane ki taraph dau da.

6

jayaram sharabakhane ke samane pahuancha to dekha, misej saksena ke charoan svayansevak dookan ke samane lete hue haian aur misej saksena ek kinare sir jhukaye kh di haian. jayaram ne darate-darate unake chehare par nigah dali. aanchal par rakt ki booandean dikhayi dian. use phir kuchh sudh n rahi. khoon ki vah chinagariyaan jaise usake rom-rom mean sama gayian. usaka khoon khaulane laga, mano usake sir khoon savar ho gaya ho. vah un charoan sharabiyoan par toot p da aur poore zor ke sath lak di chalane laga. ek-ek booand ki jagah vah ek-ek gh da khoon baha dena chahata tha. khoon use kabhi itana pyara n tha. khoon mean itani uttejana hai, isaki use khabar n thi.

vah poore zor se lak di chala raha tha. misej saksena kab akar usake samane kh di ho gayian use kuchh pata n chala. jab vah zamin par gir p dian, tab use jaise hosh a gaya ho. usane lak di pheank di aur vahian nishchal, nispand kh da ho gaya, mano usaka rakt pravah ruk gaya hai.

charoan svayansevakoan ne dau d kar misej saksena ko pankha jhalana shuroo kiya. dookanadar thanda pani le kar dau da. ek darshak daktar ko bulane bhaga, par jayaram vahian bejan kh da tha jaise svayan apane tiraskar-bhav ka putala ban gaya ho. agar is vakt koee usake donoan hath kat dalata, koee usaki aankhean lal lohe se pho d deta, tab bhi vah chooan n karata.

phir vahian s dak par baith kar usane apane lajjit, tiraskrit, parajit mastak ko bhoomi par patak diya aur behosh ho gaya.

usi vakt us kale mote sharabi ne botal zamin par patak di aur usake sir par thanda pani dalane laga.

ek sharabi ne laisansadar se kaha-tumhara rozagar any logoan ki jan le kar rahega. ab to abhi doosara hi din hai.

laisansadar ne kaha-kal se mera istipha hai. ab svadeshi kap de ka rozagar karooanga, jisamean jas bhi hai aur upakar bhi.

sharabi ne kaha-ghata to bahut rahega.

dookanadar ne kismat thoank kar kaha-ghata-napha to jiandagani ke sath hai.

sanbandhit lekh

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