The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : A mystery solved?

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Wednesday, Nov 25, 2009
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A mystery solved?

One of the enduring unknowns in Indian political history is what was it that provoked the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to lift the Emergency in 1977. Though many political pundits have speculated various reasons, the exact reason is still unclear. The latest entrant into this discourse is none other than Governor Hans Raj Bhardwaj.

Recently, he surprised his audience at the Raj Bhavan by claiming how he may have been willy-nilly responsible for the lifting of the Emergency.

A three-time Union Minister and a close confidant of the Jawaharlal Nehru family, Mr. Bhardwaj recalled the days during the Emergency when he was the public prosecutor in a New Delhi court. Fourteen young professors had been detained. “A police official came to me and said that the (Delhi) Governor wanted me to argue for extension of the period of detention.”

Realising that a false case was being foisted on the professors, Mr. Bhardwaj argued for their bail and Justice Vyas Dev Mishra accepted the plea. He got a call from the Governor’s office asking why the professors got bail.

“I was a young advocate and feared detention. I rushed to No.1, Safdurjung Road (the Prime Minister’s residence then) to explain the situation,” he said. “Seeing me in my lawyer’s robes, Indiraji called me in. I told her that I argued against detention of innocent professors which would have brought her a bad name. Hearing me, she decided to end the Emergency the same day,” Mr. Bhardwaj said.

Drink what they drink?

The word “drink” seems to be increasingly shedding all its “innocent” connotations. Speaking fervently about how his party should rebuild links with the marginalised communities, Congress Working Committee (CWC) member G. Parameshwar at a meeting recently said workers should start camping in the houses of the poor and Dalits. “We should eat what they eat,” he told his partymen, “and drink what they drink.” The workers, packed like sardines in the KPCC office, looking all sweaty and serious, broke into laughter as Dr. Parameshwar uttered the second part of the sentence.

It took a while for the leader to figure out what had tickled them so much. “Can I help it if you can think of only one thing when I say ‘drink’,” asked a flummoxed Parameshwar.

“Yes sir, it could mean ragi ganji,” said one party worker.

Another Smart Alec added: “Or even soda sometimes.”

Hard to digest

Horticulture Minister Umesh Katti appears to have found the Lalbagh walkers’ strident opposition to paying an annual fee of Rs. 200 for entry into the expansive park for their early morning exercise quite unpalatable. “They don’t mind paying Rs. 200 for their breakfast at a private restaurant nearby but they don’t want to pay the entry fee,” said a visibly annoyed Mr. Katti while speaking to reporters.

He reasoned that the authorities wished to levy the annual fee to ensure security for the morning walkers and prevent them from being mugged and attacked by miscreants. The fee was proposed to enhance the amenities at the park, but the public wants government facilities free of cost, he rued. The morning walkers, who wish to remain fit, should also exercise mind and be open to the idea of opening their purses for a valid cause, he said.

RAGHAVA M,

BAGESHREE S.,

NAGESH PRABHU,

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