Exactly 40 years ago, on this day (June 25, 1975), Emergency was declared in the country. It is interesting that it was the people of Arkalgud taluk, Hassan district, who spearheaded the protests against Emergency, in the State.
Sharing his experience, former Town Municipal Council member A S Hiriyanna said, “Exactly one week after the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared Emergency (on July 2), the people opposed the decision by taking out a protest march in Konanur.”
The protest march took everybody by surprise, including the Police department, who were not ready to face such a situation, he said. However, they arrested eight persons for participating in the protests, while Hiriyanna escaped to decide the future course of action.
The protest intensified and spread across the taluks to Belur, Sakleshpur, Arsikere and Hassan and were successful in the ‘Jail Bharo’ Movement.
Published 24 June 2015, 19:49 IST