THE 35th anniversary of the dark and draconian Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi, was observed at a function in Thiruvananthapuram on June 25, 2010. Sangh and Jana Sangh activists who had participated in the Satyagraha and were arrested during the Emergency under MISA/DIR were honoured by Sangh adhikaris. Prant Sanghachalak Shri PEB Menon honoured Shri P Parameswaran, then Jana Sangh Vice-President, who was in jail during the entire 18 months period. A minute silence was observed for six MISA detainee swayamsevaks who died recently. Olivile thelinalangal, a compilation of underground literature published by Kurukshetra was released by veteran RSS Pracharak Shri Ranga Hari by handing over a copy to Shri Sundaram. Shri M Gopal, senior RSS leader and himself a MISA detainee presented the topic.
Presiding over the meeting, senior BJP leader, Shri O Rajagopal said that Fascim is a word commonly used in Politics and people got real taste of it during the Emergency. “Despite several books/ articles written on Emergency, people do not have the true picture of the brutality imposed,” he said.
Senior journalist Shri P Rajan said even now, in a non-Emergency situation, media is showing over subjugation to the ruling class. “Despite high drama enacted by Sonia Gandhi during UPA-I, by resigning from NAC Chairperson, in the name of dual positions, she has now takenover the same post with Cabinet Minister status”, he said.
Recollecting the old times Shri Ranga Hari said Kurukshetra was printed from 6 centres in Kerala in 30 Presses. Its circulation was 36,000. Even CPM cadres used to run after RSS men to get copies of AKG’s speech made in Parliament. He said during the Emergency even judges, top Police officers, Government officials, etc. stood shoulder to shoulder with the common man to restore democracy.
