Remembering the Dark Days of Emergency in India
Reflecting on the tumultuous era of Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav shares his personal experiences and sheds light on the politicians of that time.
Lalu Prasad Yadav, who spent over 15 months in jail under the Maintenance of Security Act (MISA), emphasizes that despite being incarcerated, they were never labeled as ‘unpatriotic’ or abused by the government. In a recent article co-written by Yadav and journalist Nalin Verma titled “The Sangh Silence in 1975,” he expresses his disappointment with current BJP ministers who lecture about freedom, without having been part of the struggle against the Emergency.
Yadav, who served as the convener of the steering committee formed by Jayaprakash Narayan to protest against the excesses of the Emergency, highlights the contrast between the treatment of opposition leaders then and now. He recalls how Indira Gandhi never resorted to name-calling or abuse, unlike some politicians in the present day.
As India commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, the scars of that period still resonate in the political landscape. President Droupadi Murmu recently condemned the imposition of Emergency as a dark chapter in the country’s history, emphasizing the victory of the nation against unconstitutional powers.
However, the remarks by the President have sparked controversy, with leaders from the INDIA bloc denouncing Prime Minister Modi’s government for revisiting the Emergency era for political gains. Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge accused PM Modi of manipulating the President’s speech for applause, calling it a distortion of truth rejected by the Indian people in the 2024 elections.
