Wrong To Compare Present Situation To Emergency: Mark Tully
New Delhi: Former BBC broadcaster and noted writer Mark Tully has dismissed the claims of the opposition that the current situation in India is very much similar to the Emergency, even as he warned the people of "an atmosphere of fear" that has been created in the country.
As darkness descended at noon and freedom was shackled by the Emergency regime, repression became the norm. Merits of 'one-party system' were debated and the Constitution was rendered meaningless. Democracy became putty in Indira Gandhi's hands -- to be moulded any way she liked. pic.twitter.com/8iV5MrmaD6 — Kanchan Gupta (@KanchanGupta) June 24, 2018
In the foreword to the latest edition of the 1977 book "For Reasons of State: Delhi Under Emergency" by John Dayal and Ajoy Bose, Tully looks back at the days of Emergency under the Indira Gandhi regime and terms it as an "illegal act". "Today, once again, there is a government with an absolute majority and a very powerful Prime Minister dominating his party. This has created an atmosphere of fear.
This atmosphere of fear is heightened among certain communities, particularly the Muslims, by the ideology of Hindu extremist groups that appear to have powerful influence on the government. However, it would be incorrect to say this is like the Emergency. The Constitution has not been suspended and all the fundamental rights still remain in place. The press has not been censored and Opposition leaders have not been arrested," writes 82-year-old Tully, who has previously authored some fascinating books like "No Full Stops In India" and "India In Slow Motion".
One of the defining slogans of Indira Gandhi's Emergency was: — Kanchan Gupta (@KanchanGupta) June 24, 2018
"The Leader is right, Nation's future is bright."
And backing the Leader were the Communists. pic.twitter.com/E29nIZk8LQ
Tully further highlights that as far as the media is concerned, it would again be wrong to compare the present situation to the Emergency. He also says that there is no sign of any "widespread anger" against the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led NDA government but there is, in his own words, increasing signs of disappointment."I think if this disappointment is powerfully expressed by the Opposition and sections of the press, people will ask, 'Narendra Modi promised so much but what has he done, where are the acche din (Good Days) that were supposed to come?'" he adds.
I have vivid memories of the terrifying fear that gripped people during Emergency. Those of my generation who now squawk about 'democracy in danger' are children of Emergency's collaborators. Those younger than me who screech 'Constitution in danger' have no idea of 'Emergency'. pic.twitter.com/lCE7srVknu — Kanchan Gupta (@KanchanGupta) June 24, 2018
According to the publisher, Penguin Random House India, this widely acclaimed book returns after 41 years with a new thought-provoking Introduction by the authors and an insightful foreword by Tully at a time when the lessons of the Emergency have fresh, contemporary relevance.
Just how much of a joke the #Constitution had become after President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed tamely signed on the dotted line legitimising Indira Gandhi's order proclaiming Emergency late night on June 25, 1975, and subsequent ordinances, was best recorded by cartoonist Abu Abraham. pic.twitter.com/JSZpeNK9qp — Kanchan Gupta (@KanchanGupta) June 24, 2018
"For the perceived threats today, I still believe that there will be no full stops to Indian democracy. After all, the Emergency proved to be only a comma," he writes. "For Reasons of State", not to be confused with Shashi Tharoor's "Reasons of State" (1981) dealing with almost the same subject, tells the story of the travails of ordinary folk during the 19-month-long Emergency by two young city reporters who had a ringside view of events. (IANS)
