In 2018, the shadow of Emergency is reincarnating itself, limits are being imposed on freedom of expression

By Gautam Thaker*

In the last week of June, BJP lashed out at the Congress on the Emergency clamped in 1975. From Mumbai the Prime Minister and from Ahmedabad the party president uttered strong words of criticism. They showed aggressive gestures as if it were the last attempt to launch an attack on the Congress before the forthcoming elections of 2019.
Actually, they should have also revealed the outcome of four years administration and tasks completed, but it did not happen.
Indeed, we all need to understand or realize as to why the Emergency was clamped by Indira Gandhi. At that point of time, there was unbearable inflation and unimaginable corruption. In the year 1974, on both these counts, violent agitations were spearheaded by students. Known as Nav Nirman agitations, these were also called roti riots. These spread throughout the country under the leadership of Jay Prakash Narayan.
Indira felt that, in order to stick to power, new, stringent laws would have to be enacted. As if this was not enough, the Allahabad High Court issued a directive banning her to contest elections for next six years. She felt that by attacking fundamental rights aimed at preventing liberty of thought, speech and expression, and distancing people by misleading them, she could stick to the reins of power. Hence, she announced for press censorship and banned freedom of thought, speech and expression.
People of the country could not tolerate this and all the parties joined together and gave the leadership to Jay Prakash Narayan in 1977. As a result of Parliamentary elections, people secured second independence. People of the country did an excellent task, worthy of inscribing in golden letters in the country's history.
Against this backdrop, comparisons are bound to be made. In 2018, as if, the shadow of the Emergency has reincarnated itself. Limits are being sought to be imposed on the freedom of expression. Especially, dangers are mounting against mass media, media personnel and journalists. Some of them have even been murdered.
Lack or absence of truthful news because of Goebbelsian propaganda, and what has come to be identified as godi media (sitting in the laps of authorities), are a matter of concern. In the name of patriotism and cultural nationalism, freedom of writing, and especially freedom of speech, are sought to be curbed. Corruption has reached at its peak.
On the economic front, people have not yet resuscitated themselves from the assault and shock of demonetization and imposition of the Goods and Services Tax. Systematic efforts are being made to suppress and cow down activists struggling without allegiance to any one party for preservation and protection peoples liberties. Anybody expressing voice of dissent is being labeled or branded as insurgent.
On evaluating of the entire situation prevailing in 1975, this year, 2018, it appears as if we are being pushed backwards by 43 years. In view of arbitrary, anti-people, dictatorial approach of todays rulers, concerned citizens and those in favour of constitutional democracy are in a state of distress. Even ruling party leaders are reported to have begun stating that more serious and unimaginable situation, worse than the Emergency, has arisen.
When democratic values are being violated and rulers are attempting to stick to power by disregarding constitutional provisions, it does pose a big question as to how to struggle against the five Ms -- namely Money, Muscles, Madira (liquor), Media and Machines (EVM). There is also the need to face a situation where the structure of democracy is sought to be intangibly sucked or squeezed from within.
While issues of education and health have degenerated to an extreme, people would have to unite for safeguarding our democratic values. A situation has arisen where, in order to preserve our rights and liberties, we would need to remain constantly awake, ready to face consequences. Indeed, people would need be united irrespective of their caste, creed or racial affiliation. The ruling party would have to be made to take quick and effective steps to solve the problems faced by the poor to control the deteriorating situation.
---
*General secretary, People's Union for Civil Liberties, Gujarat. Contact: gthaker1946@gmail.com

Comments

Adani coalmine delayed? Australian senate fails to pass crucial "reform" amendment for project's financial closure

Adanis' Mundra power plant, controversial in Australia By A Representative In what is being described as a new “new hurdle”, the proposed Adani coalmine in the Queensland state of in Australia failed to get the crucial Australian Parliamentary nod, essential for financial closure for one of the biggest coalmining projects in the world. The government lost the Senate vote 35-33, meaning the legislation won't pass until the Senate returns in mid-June.

Aurangzeb’s last will recorded by his Maulvi: Allah shouldn't make anyone emperor

By Mohan Guruswamy Aurangzeb’s grave is a simple slab open to the sky lying along the roadside at Khuldabad near Aurangabad. I once stopped by to marvel at the tomb of an Emperor of India whose empire was as large as Ashoka the Great's. It was only post 1857 when Victoria's domain exceeded this. The epitaph reads: "Az tila o nuqreh gar saazand gumbad aghniyaa! Bar mazaar e ghareebaan gumbad e gardun bas ast." (The rich may well construct domes of gold and silver on their graves. For the poor folks like me, the sky is enough to shelter my grave) The modest tomb of Aurangzeb is perhaps the least recognised legacies of the Mughal Emperor who ruled the land for fifty eventful years. He was not a builder having expended his long tenure in war and conquest. Towards the end of his reign and life, he realised the futility of it all. He wrote: "Allah should not make anyone an emperor. The most unfortunate person is he who becomes one." Aurangzeb’s last will was re...

Beyond his riding skill, Karl Umrigar was admired for his radiance, sportsmanship, and affability

By Harsh Thakor* Karl Umrigar's name remains etched in the annals of Indian horse racing, a testament to a talent tragically cut short. An accident on the racetrack at the tender age of nineteen robbed India of a rider on the cusp of greatness. Had he survived, there's little doubt he would have ascended to international stature, possibly becoming the greatest Indian jockey ever. Even 46 years after his death, his name shines brightly, reminiscent of an inextinguishable star. His cousin, Pesi Shroff, himself blossomed into one of the most celebrated jockeys in Indian horse racing.

Haven't done a good deed, inner soul is cursing me as sinner: Aurangzeb's last 'will'

Counterview Desk The Tomb of Aurangzeb, the last of the strong Mughal emperors, located in Khuldabad, Aurangabad district, Maharashtra, has this epitaph inscribed on it: "Az tila o nuqreh gar saazand gumbad aghniyaa! Bar mazaar e maa ghareebaan gumbad e gardun bas ast" (the rich may well construct domes of gold and silver on their graves. For the poor folks like me, the sky is enough to shelter my grave).

Trust, we (from People to PM and President) did not take a Holy Dip in some Holy Shit!

By Dr Mansee Bal Bhargava I could see two deeply interlinked aspects between human and water in #MahaKumbh2025. Firstly, the HOPE that a ‘holy dip’ in the River Ganga (colloquially referred as dubki and spiritually as ‘Snan’) will cleanse oneself (especially the sins); and secondly, the TRUST that the water is pure to perform the cleansing alias living the hope. Well, I consider hope to be self-dependent while, trust is a multi-party dependent situation. The focus here is on the trust and I shall write later on hope.

Hyderabad seminar rekindles memories of the spark lit 50 years ago by students

By Harsh Thakor* History is something we constantly remember and reflect upon, but certain moments and events bring it back to our memory in a special way. For the Telugu people, and Telangana in particular, the memorial seminar held on February 20–21 was a significant occasion to recall the glorious events, transformations, leaders, and heroes of past struggles. Thousands of students rewrote the history of people's movements in Andhra Pradesh, carrying revolutionary zeal and the spirit of self-sacrifice to levels comparable to the Russian and Chinese Revolutions.

State Human Rights Commission directs authorities to uphold environmental rights in Vadodara's Vishwamitri River Project

By A Representative The Gujarat State Human Rights Commission (GSHRC) has ordered state and Vadodara municipal authorities to strictly comply with environmental and human rights safeguards during the Vishwamitri River Rejuvenation Project, stressing that the river’s degradation disproportionately affects marginalized communities and violates citizens’ rights to a healthy environment. The Commission mandated an immediate halt to ecologically destructive practices, rehabilitation of affected communities, transparent adherence to National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders, and public consultations with experts and residents. The order follows the Concerned Citizens of Vadodara coalition—environmentalists, ecologists, and urban planners—submitting a detailed letter to authorities, amplifying calls for accountability. The group warned that current plans to “re-section” and “desilt” the river contradict the NGT’s 2021 Vishwamitri River Action Plan, which prioritizes floodpla...

Vadodara citizens urge authorities to adhere to environmental mandates in Vishwamitri River Rejuvenation Project

By A Representative A coalition of environmental activists, ecologists, and urban planners in Vadodara has issued an urgent appeal to state and municipal authorities, demanding strict compliance with court-mandated guidelines for the upcoming Vishwamitri River rejuvenation project. Scheduled to commence in March 2025, the initiative aims to mitigate flooding and restore the river, but citizens warn that current plans risk violating National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders and jeopardizing the river’s fragile ecosystem, home to endangered species like crocodiles and Indian Softshell Turtles.

Buddhist communities in Michigan protest for Mahabodhi Temple’s return to Buddhist control

By A Representative Buddhist communities in Michigan have staged protests demanding the return of the Mahabodhi Vihara in Gaya, Bihar, India, to full Buddhist control. The Mahabodhi Temple, regarded as the holiest pilgrimage site in Buddhism, is currently managed under the Bodhgaya Temple Act of 1949, which grants a majority of control to non-Buddhists.

How the slogan Jai Bhim gained momentum as movement of popularity and revolution

By Dr Kapilendra Das* India is an incomprehensible plural country loaded with diversities of religions, castes, cultures, languages, dialects, tribes, societies, costumes, etc. The Indians have good manners/etiquette (decent social conduct, gesture, courtesy, politeness) that build healthy relationships and take them ahead to life. In many parts of India, in many situations, and on formal occasions, it is common for people of India to express and exchange respect, greetings, and salutation for which we people usually use words and phrases like- Namaskar, Namaste, Pranam, Ram Ram, Jai Ram ji, Jai Sriram, Good morning, shubha sakal, Radhe Radhe, Jai Bajarangabali, Jai Gopal, Jai Jai, Supravat, Good night, Shuvaratri, Jai Bhole, Salaam walekam, Walekam salaam, Radhaswami, Namo Buddhaya, Jai Bhim, Hello, and so on. A soft attitude always creates strong relationships. A relationship should not depend only on spoken words. They should rely on understanding the unspoken feeling too. So w...

Search This Blog