Emergency - When Political Opponents Had To Run For Their Lives
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Emergency was declared in India by invoking article 352(1) of the constitution I.E Internal Disturbance. The declaration of emergency suspends civil liberties, freedom of press and various rights including some of the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Indian Constitution. The declaration of emergency by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is considered to be the darkest days of Indian Democracy, some even termed Emergency as “Death Of Democracy”. The Emergency threw a gamut of stories on politicians fleeing country, arrests and torture. We look at some of the dark shades and bright spots from the darkest days of Indian Democracy. Stories of real people who had went to hell and back.

MK Stalin
Stalin, along with 125 other DMK workers including former Union Minister Murasoli Maran were lodged in Central Prison after being arrested under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA). MK Stalin along with the other DMK workers suffered serious injuries. It is reported that the DMK worker who had tried to save Stalin from the beatings succumbed to injuries during detention.


Lawrence Fernandes
Brother of former Defense Minister George Fernandes was at the receiving end of brutal torture mainly to find out the whereabouts of George Fernandes. Lawrence was tortured by then Inspector General Albert Manoraj. Lawrence got badly bruised with a permanent limp and serious psychological damage.


Mrinal Gore
The veteran socialist leader Mrinal Gore went underground and organised several protests with women’s groups. But she was arrested and jailed. It is reported that Mrinal Gore was imprisoned in a prison which housed lunatics and lepers.


Subramanian Swamy
Subramnaian Swamy perhaps was one of the few who out smarted the entire police machinery by flying in and out of the country in the guise of a sikh. He managed to enter his home where many police officers were patrolling and waiting to arrest him and he even managed to enter the Parliament and signed on the attendance register. An act which is widely talked about till date.
It is even reported that our incumbent Prime Minster Mr Narendra Modi, a 25 year old then, had evaded arrest by dressing like a sikh.


Fallout of The Emergency
Popularity of Indira Gandhi hit a all time low and once Emergency was withdrawn elections were scheduled for 1977, the people of India gave befitting reply by routing the Congress and thereby the first non-congress government of post-Independent India was formed under the leadership of Morarji Desai

The Logical Indian is confident that the dark days of Emergency will not be repeated in India ever again. Let Emergency be merely a chapter to look back and learn from and not to be emulated.

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Editor : The Logical Indian

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