NEW DELHI: For the first time the Indians mettle was tested and it was found wanting. Not even a dog barked said Justice D. S. Tewatia former chief justice Calcutta High Court.
Addressing the people present to mark anti-emergency day an annual event held on June 26 he referred to the period as a fake emergency as a dynastic urge was what had prompted the then Prime Minister Ms.Indira Gandhi to declare it. Many other eminent persons recounted their experiences during the emergency declared during 1975-77. Annually at the Gandhi Peace
Foundation this day is observed by the Citizens For Democracy & Forum For Democracy & Communal Amity.
Mr.Nayyar during his speech said the meeting was held to remember the emergency as a subversion of the entire system. At least one lakh people were detained without trial he added.
After the Judgement against Indira Gandhi by the Allahabad High Court she declared emergency to make her opponents lose power so that she could rule the country said Mr.Nayyar adding the thin line between right and wrong and moral and immoral had been crossed. Journalists he said were asked to bend but they began to crawl.
Government machinery has been politicized Nayar said giving as recent example of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (prevention) Act.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 1, 1994
