New Delhi, 28 June 2014: It was the second battle of freed that people of the country fought against Emergency in 1975-77. Now people should be ready for a third battle of freedom, said Mohammad Salim Engineer, Secretary, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind while speaking at a special program organized to mark the 39th anniversary of Emergency.
Addressing the gathering of intellectuals at Gandhi Peace Foundation here on 26 June, Jamaat leader said those who fought against the Emergency in 1975-77, they actually fought second battle of freedom to save freedom of the people. Now we have to be ready for a third battle of freedom as freedom, the most important thing we all should work to protect, is itself in danger.
He stressed the need to create awareness among people and youth that situation should not arise for a new emergency in the country.
Other eminent members of the civil society who spoke at the program included Justice Rajendar Sachar, Kuldip Nayar, Prof. Raj Kiran Jain, Dr. Aparna, Adv. ND Pancholi and Ram Sharan.
While remembering the Emergency of 1975-77, they talked about today’s apprehensions. Speakers said that in 1975-77, there was a declared emergency, but after 1991, there has been an undeclared emergency wherein people’s movements have not got much freedom.
The program was jointly organized by some civil rights groups including Citizen For Democracy, People’s Union For Civil Liberties, People’s Union of Democratic Rights and Hastakshep.
Freedom Fighter Captain Abbas Ali, 94, sent his message for the program which he could not attend personally. In his message, he called upon people to vow to keep freedom of the country intact.
Captain Ali had joined British Army in 1939. He was made captive by Japan in World War II in 1943. After release, he joined Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army) of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and fought for freedom of India. After independence he joined Socialist Party of Ram Manohar Lohiya in 1948. He was arrested during Emergency in August 1975.
“Friends, I am in the last stage of my life. I would like to request you and the coming generation that the lamp of truth and honesty that we inherited from our elders is now in your hands. I hope you would never let it die,” Captain Ali, father of veteran journalist Qurban Ali, said in his message.
we appreciate your views to which you delivered a.t anti-emergency day