'Threat of Emergency can't be ruled out'

Legislative Council chairman D H Shankaramurthy on Thursday said the threat of Emergency being reimposed on the country cannot be ruled out till the dynasty politics of the Gandhi family continued in the Congress.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Shankaramurthy recalled his arrest and 19-month imprisonment during Emergency. It was on this day, 40 years ago, when former prime minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of Emergency in the country.

“I went through the dark days of Emergency. I was imprisoned in the Belagavi jail for 19 months just for raising the slogan “Bharat Mata ki Jai” at Gandhi Bazar in Shivamogga. I do not fear for myself but I do not want to see the present and future generation suffer under Emergency,” Shankaramurthy said.

He said Indira Gandhi had declared a state of Emergency in the country for the sake of power. 

Dynastic politics

“Dynastic politics of the Gandhi family continues in the Congress. Sonia and Rahul Gandhi have not apologised for the incidents that took place during Emergency. If the thirst for power in the family continues, one cannot rule out the country facing the dark days of Emergency again,” Shankaramurthy said.

However, he ruled out Prime Minister Narendra Modi imposing Emergency. “He works in a democratic setup and is doing a good job,” Shankaramurthy said.He said he was the general secretary of Jan Sangh during Emergency and 15 members of his family, including six women, were arrested.