To mark the 50th anniversary of the imposition of Emergency in India, a commemorative volume titled “Adiyanthiravastha Randam Swathanthrya Samaram” (Emergency – Second Freedom Struggle) was released in Thiruvananthapuram on 25 June 2025. Authored by E.N. Nandakumar, a senior RSS worker and fighter during the anti-Emergency movement, the book was launched at Sanskriti Bhavan, the state headquarters of Bharatiya Vichara Kendra—the Kerala chapter Prajna Pravah.
The book presents a chronological account of the Emergency 1975, shedding light on the events that led to its imposition, including the reckless arrests of senior political leaders from opposition parties, as well as Congress leaders who refused to submit to the fascist diktats of Indira Gandhi.
The volume comprehensively covers the nationwide protests and Satyagraha led by the RSS-manned Lok Sangharsh Samiti (LSS), the brutal torture inflicted by the state on protestors and innocent citizens, the RSS’s defiance of fascist press censorship through the printing and distribution of underground newspapers in various regional languages, the conduct of underground shakhas, the unprecedented involvement of RSS workers in the 1977 general elections—the first such instance in the organisation’s history—and ultimately, the fall of the fascist regime.
The programme served as a fitting reminiscence of the blackest days in the country’s post-independence history. It provided a vivid account of the dark days from June 1975 to March 1977.
T. Satisan, Senior Reporter (Kerala) for Organiser and Panchajanya weeklies and a prominent anti-Emergency worker who had undergone police torture during the Emergency, delivered the introductory speech. He elaborated on the contents of the book and explained the Andolan Parv, the saga of the second freedom struggle against the Congress’ fascist Emergency regime. His speech was a factual and comprehensive presentation of the history of anti-fascist agitation. He underlined the fact that the RSS was the only movement that fought against the Emergency 1975. He cited concrete incidents to establish that the CPM kept away from the anti-Emergency activities and agitation. He recounted his own Emergency experiences to demonstrate how the CPM betrayed the struggle.
M. Gopalji, former Sangh Pracharak and MISA detainee during the Emergency 1975, chaired the event. He described the situation that prevailed during the Emergency, sharing his own experiences of underground organisational work and of being in jail for several months. He emphasised the importance of the new book and the message it conveys.
Nonagenarian K. Raman Pillai, senior Jan Sangh leader, underground organising secretary during the Emergency period, and the first state BJP president, released the book by presenting a copy to C.P. John, Secretary of the Communist Marxist Party (CMP) and former state president of the SFI.
K. Raman Pillai spoke about the fascist regime during the Emergency. He shared his organisational experiences from those days and referred to a film produced about the brutal police torture of that era. The Censor Board had hesitated to issue a certificate for the film, claiming that such tortures had not taken place in Kerala.
C.P. John commended author E.N. Nandakumar for writing such a serious work of history. He expressed hope that the second edition of the book would contain even more information.
Renowned historian Prof. Dr T.P. Sankaran Nair remarked that the book is a unique contribution. He noted the hard work and extra care visible between the lines, and expressed expectations for a second edition soon.
E.N. Nandakumar, author of the book, delivered the reply speech. He shared his Emergency experiences, including the police torture he endured for participating in the nation-wide satyagraha as a teenager. He spoke about the significance of the book and the effort behind it. He narrated how democracy was murdered by Indira Gandhi and how the Constitution was defiled.
RSS Dakshina Kerala Pranthiya Kutumba Prabodhini Pramukh P. Rajasekharan welcomed the gathering, and A.K.N. Arun, Treasurer of the Hindu Dharma Parishad, proposed the vote of thanks.
Several important personalities from the city attended the programme. Among the prominent citizens were Capt. Gopakumar (State Patron of the Akhil Bharatiya Poorva Sainik Parishad), Dr K. Jayaprasad (former Pro-Vice Chancellor and Professor in the Department of International Relations & Politics at the Central University of Kerala), Dr C. Sureshkumar (Chairman of the Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action), and RSS functionaries Biju and Mahesh.
On June 25, 2025, States and Union Territories across India observed Samvidhan Hatya Diwas led by respective Chief Ministers, Governors, and Lieutenant Governors.
