As the country on Thursday observed 40th year of Emergency, the recollection of those “dark days” triggered a fierce war of words between the BJP — whose several leaders bore the brunt of the police excesses during those 19 months — and the Congress, which is yet to apologise for “throttling” the democracy.
While the BJP described Emergency as “trampling of democracy” for “lust of power”, the Congress attacked the Government for imposing “undeclared emergency”. led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP was unsparing in its criticism of the Congress with BJP president Amit Shah hitting out at the Sonia Gandhi-led party, saying even after Emergency the dynasty tradition has not ended as the “same family” continued to rule the country.
“We mark 40 years of one of India’s darkest periods — Emergency — when the then political leadership trampled over our democracy. Inspired by the call of JP, several men and women across India selflessly immersed themselves in the movement to safeguard our democracy. We are very proud of the lakhs of people, who resisted Emergency and whose efforts ensured that our democratic fabric is preserved,” Modi tweeted.
“Personally, the Emergency brings back many memories. As youngsters, we learnt a lot during the anti-Emergency movement. Emergency was a great opportunity to work with a wide spectrum of leaders and organisations fighting for the same goal — return of democracy. A vibrant liberal democracy is the key to progress. let us do everything possible to further strengthen our democratic ideals and ethos,” the PM added.
He again touched the topic while speaking at the launch of Smart Cities Mission. “Nobody can forget June 25-26 in the history of India. 40 years back, the country was bound with chains of Emergency and turned into a jail for the lust for power. lakhs of patriots nursing the dream of “Sampoorna Kranti” under the leadership of JP were jailed. Newspaper offices were locked and the radio aired only what the Government then wanted,” PM said.
Speaking at a function organised by Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation , BJP chief Amit Shah took a dig at the Congress’ style of functioning.
“Parties with internal democracy alone can save democracy as Emergency was not imposed on account of situations or by an individual but was the outcome of a mindset,” Shah said. Cautioning that Emergency situations may arise again if political parties are not run with the spirit of “internal democracy”, Shah said it was time to foil the politics of dynasties. He added that the BJP was one of the few parties in the country which has kept “internal democracy” intact.
However, the Congress had a different take on the occasion. It retaliated by terming Modi Government’s tenure as “undeclared emergency” and alleged that the PM has concentrated all powers with himself, even appointments of OSDs to his ministerial colleagues. “The Prime Minister wants to be everything — Finance Minister, Minister for External Affairs, Environment Minister”, said Congress spokesman Ajay Maken.
The Congress went on to cite various BJP leaders like lK Advani, Varun Gandhi and Yashwant Sinha who have expressed unhappiness over the functioning of the present BJP setup. “Advaniji had said something on this issue. Perhaps his indication was towards Modiji and the government at Centre”, Maken said.
left parties also joined in attacking Modi Government saying India is facing “creeping authoritarianism” in forms other than Emergency like “Hindutva” communalism while adding corrosion of institutions of the State can threaten the country’s democratic system.
“The Hindutva outfits, with State sponsorship, are on a rampage to impose their values on the religious minorities and transgressing their basic rights. Thus, authoritarianism is increasingly entering the social and cultural spheres,” former CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat wrote in an editorial in the forthcoming issue of party mouthpiece People’s Democracy.