Dr. K. Veeramani
‘Emergency’ was declared under Art 352 of Indian Constitution by Indira Gandhi on 25th June 1975, but its ill effects were not experienced then by the people of Tamil Nadu in the beginning. The DMK rule was then under Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi as the Chief Minister. We, the Dravidar Kazhagam founded by Thanthai Periyar along with the DMK, opposed the emergency vehemently. “Tamil Nadu remains an island’ stated the then PM Indira Gandhi. The day of vendetta was on 31st January 1976. Along with my leader E.V.R. Maniammaiar we addressed a public meeting in Thindivanam. While addressing, we were told that the DMK government was dismissed. After winding up the meeting when we returned to our headquarters, Chennai, Periyar Thidal, it was about 1.00 am on 1st February. Periyar Thidal was swarmed with a large team of police officials! A highly ranked police along with other officials met me and said, ‘We have come for the unpleasant job’. They arrested me and took me under custody to Chennai city police commissioner office. One after one, the second line leaders of the DMK and other political parties were arrested and brought to that office.
On the same night we were taken to central prison, Chennai. Our whereabouts were not revealed to anyone in our movement and our family. Our numbers were 8 in a small prison cell in which we were lodged. The cell we occupied was previously filled with leprosy patients. On 2nd February, the cell was opened illegally after 9 pm. We were beaten severely by the wardens with lathis inside the cell. During the day time we were not allowed to come out of the cell. We were allowed out only during the lunch hour that too for a few minutes only and locked in again for the night hours.
On the next day when we were locked inside the cell, in the darkness, a youth who was bleeding profusely was pushed inside and he fell on me. In that darkness we were unable to identify him. Later we could find out that he was M.K.Stalin (the present Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu). He was also brutally beaten. We were told that all of us were arrested and imprisoned under Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), a draconian law which is no more in vogue. Only after a month our whereabouts were informed to the parties and families. We were kept in the dark and were not aware of the happenings outside the prison. Freedom of individuals and organisations was curtailed. Print medium was subject to censor and severe restrictions were imposed, with censorship in the contents that were critical of the government, either directly or indirectly. We faced unbearable abuses and physical torture. Our party organ ‘Viduthalai’ was subject to harsh censorship.
Almost after 40 years, the present BJP rule has started similar atrocities just differently, but under undeclared emergency. Promising growth and development to people but performing the internal agenda of its Hindutva has led the country to economic slowdown which is detrimental to the well-being and harmony of our people. Invariably the agenda accomplished by the present rule is against the spirit behind the constitutional values. The diversified culture and languages presently in the sub-continent is negated by every action of the BJP- led government. Diminishing the power of States has made a mockery of the federal polity. By enacting laws that deny equal rights to people of a specific religion, the BJP rule has caused enmity among different religious identities.
The first 5 years of BJP rule did not reveal its agenda openly. This second term would end within the next 10 months or even earlier. The rulers are unmindful of constructive criticism. Opposition and dissent are integral to democracy but debates and discussions are not allowed today in both the Houses of the Parliament. Central investigating agencies are directed to foist false cases on political leaders in the States ruled by the parties other than the BJP. Both the print and the electronic media are unduly influenced by the rulers. The economic wellbeing of the majority population has declined. The concentration of wealth is now only on a few corporate giants; typically it is a form of crony capitalism. In brief, the image of our country’s democratic polity has been tarnished.
All these features are certainly the outcome of an undeclared emergency by the saffron rulers. This trend is more dangerous than the emergency suddenly declared and suffered by people in the past. Many citizens today are not aware of the present- day challenges. Unless they foresee the danger to our democracy, the 2024 election would bring back the same problems faced by us today.
All the democratic forces in the country, irrespective of policies of parties and movements, must unite and fight to root out the BJP from its rule. This must be our agenda for the next 10 months.
Let the 48th anniversary of declared emergency make us all jointly plan and perform to save our democracy from the clutches of this undeclared emergency
Courtesty: Bulletin dated June 26, 2023 of people’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL)
