Govt may hold Parliament session over 50 yrs of Emergency: Jairam
The Congress MP, Jairam Ramesh, has sparked a controversy by claiming that the BJP-led central government is considering a special session of Parliament next month to mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency. However, Ramesh believes that the government’s intention behind this move is not to commemorate the past, but to divert attention from the current issues plaguing the country.
The Emergency, which was declared by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on June 25, 1975, lasted for nearly 21 months and led to the arrest of thousands of people, including political leaders, journalists, and activists. It was a dark period in Indian democracy, marked by human rights abuses, censorship, and suppression of dissent.
Ramesh, a senior Congress leader, believes that the government’s decision to hold a special Parliament session to mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency is an attempt to deflect attention from the current state of the country. “The government wants to call a special session for what happened 50 years ago? To divert attention from today’s questions,” he said.
Ramesh’s comments come at a time when the country is grappling with several issues, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, economic slowdown, and political polarization. The government’s move to hold a special Parliament session may be seen as an attempt to shift the focus away from these pressing issues and instead create a narrative around the Emergency, which was declared by the previous government.
However, Ramesh’s comments have been disputed by the government, which has not officially confirmed any plans to hold a special Parliament session to mark the Emergency’s 50th anniversary. The government has also pointed out that the Emergency was a “black mark” in Indian history and that any commemoration of the event would be done in a “balanced and objective” manner.
But Ramesh is not the only one who is skeptical of the government’s intentions. Many political analysts believe that the government is trying to use the Emergency anniversary to create a narrative around its own actions, particularly in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is a classic case of the government trying to rewrite history to suit its own narrative,” said political analyst, Neera Chandhoke. “The Emergency was a dark period in Indian history, and any commemoration of the event should be done in a responsible and balanced manner. But the government’s intention is clear – to divert attention from the current state of the country and instead create a narrative around the Emergency.”
Ramesh’s comments have also been seen as a veiled attack on the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been criticized by many for its slow response and inadequate measures to contain the spread of the virus. “Undeclared Emergency has been in force in our country since 2014,” Ramesh said, implying that the government’s actions during the pandemic have created a sense of fear and uncertainty among the people.
The government’s handling of the pandemic has indeed been criticized for its authoritarian tone and lack of transparency. Many have accused the government of using emergency powers to silence dissent and suppress criticism, which has led to a sense of unease and fear among the people.
In conclusion, Jairam Ramesh’s comments have sparked a controversy over the government’s plans to hold a special Parliament session to mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency. While the government has not officially confirmed any plans, Ramesh believes that the intention behind this move is to divert attention from the current state of the country and instead create a narrative around the Emergency.
As the country marks the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, it is essential to remember the lessons of the past and not repeat the mistakes of history. The Emergency was a dark period in Indian democracy, and any commemoration of the event should be done in a responsible and balanced manner. But the government’s intention is clear – to create a narrative around the Emergency and divert attention from the current state of the country.
