Dictatorial Mindset Led To Emergency

But democracy’s roots have deepened, no one will dare meddle in citizens’ fundamental rights in the future

- Amit Shah

Forty-six years ago, a dark chapter of India’s history was written when the Congress government of the day led by PM Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency on the country, in an ugly spectacle of authoritarian arrogance, making a mockery of the country’s centuries-old democratic tradition. The question that still remains unanswered is whether the brazen recourse to authoritarianism – when even the right to life was suspended and Parliament, judiciary and media were reduced to auxiliaries for the ambitions of a leader – was an aberration or represented the natural instincts of Congress’s dynastic politics.

India’s ancient history is replete with examples of flourishing democratic governance systems such as the Kamboj, Kalinga and Lichchavi kingdoms. Even an ancient text such as the Rig Veda has evidence of democratic practices. This march towards democratic ideals, which had continued even under monarchies, however, ran into hostile barriers when foreign invaders plundered, conquered, and, eventually, imposed their oppressive regimes on large parts.

After Independence, India took a big step by resolving to be a modern, progressive, democratic nation state. The framers of the Constitution fondly hoped that future governments would strive to translate dreams and ideals into reality by, above all, protecting the fundamental rights of citizens.

However, Congress, which, having come out of the womb of the freedom struggle, got the first opportunity to serve, flunked the test right at the outset when under Jawaharlal Nehru, it used false allegations related to the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi to ban the RSS and its Panchajanya weekly. This was the first instance of a ‘ban’ being used as a weapon to smother the rival viewpoint.