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In the run-up to the 50 years of Emergency next year, synchronising with Constitution Day celebrations, the national broadcaster plans many programmes to remind people about the days when their rights were taken away
During the discussion on the Constitution, the government will not only remind the Congress about Emergency but also stress that many who are now with the INDIA bloc have themselves been victims of the dark period. (AP)
Next week, Parliament is likely to have a two-day discussion on the Constitution after the government conceded to the Opposition’s demand. While the Opposition may see this as a win, there is a larger plan behind this.
For the opposition parties, this is the chance they were looking for to attack the BJP for compromising on constitutional principles — the “compromised” election process and EVMs, parliamentary norms being violated and detractors being targeted and silenced.
The government, however, has a counter-plan ready. First, it will counter the Congress on the fact that the party amended the Constitution at least 80 times. For instance, an amendment made in 1976, which was later struck down by the Supreme Court, was that no cases can be filed against the prime minister or governor even after they demit office. In 1987, special powers were given to governors which made them even more powerful. During the tenure of Dr Manmohan Singh as prime minister, there were 17 times when amendments were made in the Constitution.
But the biggest change in the Constitution is the one which the Congress can never play down — the sweeping amendment which took away the fundamental rights of the people and was called The Emergency. The BJP attacks and reminds the Congress of this each time it accuses the former of being anti-democratic.
So, the plan is big. It will be 50 years of the Emergency next year and the government wants the people of the country, especially the youth, to know about this dark period of history. Informed sources have told News18 that many programmes will be launched about the Emergency days.
During the discussion on the Constitution, the government will not only remind the Congress about Emergency but also stress that many who are now with the INDIA bloc have themselves been victims of the dark period. “The daughter of Lalu Yadav was named MISA after the draconian law by this name which snatched the basic rights of the people.”
In the run-up to the 50 years of Emergency next year, synchronising with Constitution Day celebrations, the national broadcaster plans many programmes to remind people about the days when their rights were taken away. Jails, where many political leaders and journalists were kept, will be revisited and newspaper offices which were shut down will be showcased. This apart, there are coins, stamps, and brochures that are expected to be displayed to remind the people of the dark days.
Prasar Bharti will make films and documentaries with visuals and pictures from archives to show the horrors of the Emergency.
So, while Congress leaders like Priyanka Vadra took oath with a copy of the Constitution in their hand, the government will relive the past to counter them.
