Though I was only in the 5th Standard when the #Emergency was clamped, from my father I used to get regular updates regarding the happenings. It ignited the spirit to stand against injustice and authoritarianism.
Later from books like 'The Judgment' by #KuldipNayar (who with the support of #RamnathGoenka had conducted a spirited campaign against the Emergency through the Indian Express) and 'Delhi Under Emergency', I had the opportunity to learn about the Emergency vividly. The Book about the Alahabad High Court trial by #PrashanthBushan (The case that shook India) also was highly informative, giving the detailed proceedings in the High Court in which Shanthi Bushan had represented Raj Narayan against #Smt.IndiraGandhi which ultimately led to the unseating of the PM and her imposition of the Emergency to protect her reign.
What precipitated the Emergency was the refusal of #JusticeV.R.KrishnaIyer to give an unconditional stay against the High Court Order, but only a 10 day stay to enable the Congress party to elect a leader to occupy the post of PM. The Legendary #NaniPalkiwala, who was appearing on behalf of Smt. Indira Gandhi in the Supreme Court, walked out of the case, once the Emergency was declared and opposition leaders including JP and Morarji were arrested and put in jail.
What we faced during the 19 months of Emergency was only a small glimpse of what had been faced in other parts of the world during fascist regimes.
Nightmares still continue in various methods in different degrees, till date.
Hence, on this day, we once again try to analyze the symptoms of such ills and its antidote.
Symptoms:
Centralization of power
The belief in one leader as savior from all ills
The belief of the leader about one’s own importance and indispensability
Acceptance of the above from majority of people
Formation of cartels around the leader who has been accepted by popular support
Vested interests taking roots in the cartels
The leader coming under the sway of the cartels
All institutions made subservient to the interests of the supreme leader and the cartel that has formed around the leader
With the erosion of institutions, more and more dissent getting suppressed
Only ‘Yes men’ allowed
The leader gets alienated from the masses and real needs.
Antidote:
Consistent attempts by people with knowledge of the dangers of the above, to keep the people informed about the eventuality.
Constant reminder that in the entire history of humanity, no single human (or for that even ideology) has been able to solve all problems of mankind.
Constant reminder that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Constant reminder that there are no short cuts to development – that real and lasting development depends upon all round growth.
Constant reminder that what goes round, also comes round - injustice caused to one today could knock at our own gates tomorrow – and there may not be any one to support us, if we are quiet now, or even support injustice directly or tacitly.
Constant efforts to keep institutions of democracy and governance protected from encroachment by vested interests.
Reminding every generation that ‘Eternal vigil is the price of freedom’.
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