Restrictions on democratic rights,

arrests and censorship highlighted

Details of the movement led by

Jayaprakash Narayan and the underground bulletin Ranbheri

Lucknow, Oct 29 (HS): Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath released the book “Bharat

Aantarik Emergency 1975”, authored by former minister and BJP leader Shatrudra

Prakash, at his official residence on Thursday. Shatrudra Prakash presented a

copy of his book to the Chief Minister. BJP leaders Ramesh Mishra and CP Singh

were also present on the occasion.

The book details the Emergency

imposed between 1975 and 1977, the restrictions placed on democratic rights and

the movements launched in opposition to it. It mentions the arrests of

opposition leaders and social activists, censorship of newspapers and

restrictions on civil liberties during the tenure of the then Prime Minister

Indira Gandhi.

The book records the period of the

Emergency from June 25, 1975, to March 23, 1977, as a difficult phase for

Indian democracy. It also refers to the movement led by Loknayak Jayaprakash

Narayan, forced sterilisation, the removal of poor settlements and issues

related to constitutional institutions. The struggles of activists who

continued the movement despite opposition have been given prominence.

The book also details Shatrudra

Prakash’s political career and his activities against the Emergency. After

being associated with student politics at Banaras Hindu University between 1968

and 1973, he struggled for basic amenities for the poor in Banaras. In 1974, he

was among the youngest members of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly.

The book also mentions the arrest

of his wife, Anjana Prakash, during the Emergency and the activities of

activists who went underground to continue their opposition. It describes how

anti-Emergency views and messages concerning democratic rights were

disseminated through an underground cyclostyled bulletin named Ranbheri.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi