Emergency – Cruel Face Of Democracy

Muslim Murasu, June 2011

Emergency was declared in India between 1975 and 1977. This was a dark period. 1,10,000 Indian citizens were tormented in prisons without proper reasons. 26,000 government staffs were unjustifiably dismissed from office. 1,50,000 houses were razed down in New Delhi alone. 81 lakh citizens were forcibly administered family planning instruments.
The landslide victory that Indira Gandhi secured in 1971 election gave rise to an autocratic mentality. But within three years, protests and agitations arose against misuse of power, corrupt government and venal administration. 235 students were killed in students agitation in Bihar. Gujarat and Bihar state machinery collapsed.
Jayaprakash Narayan led the opposition against Congress. Congress was the mammoth ruling power after having garnered 66% of votes. That was a period when out of 441 M.P seats, Congress candidates won in 342 seats. Congress declared emergency when it was in majority.
Janamorcha Party won elections against Congress in Gujarat. Justice Sinha in Allahabad high court pronounced verdict nullifying Indira Gandhi’s electoral win. Further Indiraji was banned from contesting in elections for next six years. For these two reasons Prime Minister Indiraji enforced emergency on 25.6.1975. Government got limitless, unbridled power in its grip.
Countless complaints, abuses and excesses have been documented with reference to emergency. 36 years have passed since. But there is no change in the situation. Names of the parties have changed. Some parties have disintegrated and new extras have taken their places. Mentality of the higher officers and limitless, sky-high powers of politicians remain unchanged. Depicting emergency period as second independence struggle is farcical.
Present rulers have eclipsed both British period and 1975 demonic emergency period. Central government has already given permits for 653 private TV channels. 31 more TV channels will be rolled out quite soon. 806 new FM stations are in the queue. Two thousand newspapers and magazines are serving corporates. There is no embargo to publish or telecast news. Ruling class did not tolerate people oriented news during British period and emergency period. But in these days, rife with mature intellect and spirit of liberty, news that benefits people is not available. The fact that public opinion is formed to serve the interests of corporates and ruling politicians remain mysterious and incomprehensible.