Discussion on ‘Emergency: Darkest Hour in Indian Democracy’, at the Vivekananda International Fopundation, 24 Jun 2019

Welcome Remarks by Dr. Arvind Gupta, Director VIF

Distinguished Guests, Members of the Parliament, Senior Officials, Members of the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you this evening to a discussion on Emergency: Darkest Hour in Indian democracy.

I am grateful to Dr. A Surya Prakash, Chairman Prasar Bharti, for having mooted the idea of a discussion on this subject. Dr. Surya Prakash, as you know, is the author of the celebrated book ‘The Emergency: Indian Democracy’s Darkest Hour’, which was published in 2017. The Hindi, Kannada, Telugu and Gujarati versions of the book were released at the VIF by the Hon’ble Vice President Sh Venkaiah Naidu last year on the same day in this very hall.

Dr. Surya Prakash has written many books on the working of the Indian Parliament. Harper Collins has published his books What is Indian Parliament, and Rupa publication has brought out his book Private Agenda: the Use and Misuse of MPLADS. Dr. Surya Prakash is a noted author and commentator who has had a first-hand experience of the emergency days as a journalist. Since then, he has been an ardent champion of strengthening democracy in the country. I quote from his book, "हालाँकि भारतीय लोकतंत्र पर से वंशवाद, भाई-भतीजावाद और भ्रष्टाचार का खतरा अभी टाला नहीं है, हमें हरदम सचेत रहना होगा." His warning is apt. Today he will lead the discussion with a presentation.
Sh S Gurumurthy is well known to this audience. He is the Chairman of the Vivekananda International Foundation and guiding spirit behind its activities. An eminent economist, a prominent intellectual, a chartered accountant, and an investigating journalist, Sh Gurumurthy has long emphasized the need for inculcating national thinking, based on Indian civilizational value. He is a popular speaker at IITs, IIMs, and universities where he lectures on the need for an Indian model based on Indian values, for economic growth. We are thankful to him for agreeing to participate in today’s discussion.

Dear Friends, on 25th Jun 1975, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, following the annulment of her election result by the Allahabad High Court, declared a national emergency in the country under Article 352(i) of the Indian Constitution. Lakhs of political opponents, workers, and individuals were jailed illegally. A wave of repression, which lasted until 1977, followed. The democratic pillars of our democracy, including the legislature, judiciary, executive and media were manipulated. Many of them, regrettably, surrendered abjectly. But there were a large number of ordinary Indians who risked their lives and offered heroic resistance. That is why it is essential to keep reminding ourselves of those dark days lest we forget how democracy was subverted.

Today, when we celebrate the people’s mandate and the formation of the new government, it is good to pause and reflect over the darkest hour of the Indian democracy, learn lessons, and assess the present condition of the democratic institution. This panel discussion has been organised to do so.
Dear Friends, The VIF has also produced a booklet titled ‘Policy Initiatives for the New Government: Building a ‘New India.’ We have drawn upon the expertise of a number of senior experts who have been associated with the VIF, and from numerous discussion held at the VIF over the last several years. This booklet is the distillation of such brain storming sessions. Addressed at the new government, recommendations cover a wide variety of issues ranging from foreign policy, defence, internal security to water, power, education, healthcare, climate change, and infrastructure. I am thankful to Sh S Gurumurthy and Dr. A Surya Prakash for releasing the book. We will upload the book on our website. Feedback from the public is most welcome.

I will now request Dr. A Surya Prakash to make his initial remarks. After that, I will request Sh S Gurumurthy to make his observations. After the two presentations, we will release the book and follow up with a Q&A session.