“Rajnath Singh Recounts Emergency Era: Denied Parole for Mother’s Last Rites”
At the age of 24, BJP leader Rajnath Singh was appointed as the convenor for Mirzapur-Sonbhadra during the JP movement against the Emergency, which lasted from June 1975, when the Indira Gandhi government imposed it, until March 1977.
During the ’emergency’ imposed by the Congress government led by Sonia Gandhi, Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh spent 18 months in jail. He highlighted that he was not allowed parole to attend his mother’s last rites. This statement came as he criticized the opposition for accusing the ruling BJP of ‘dictatorship’.
To remember, Rajnath Singh, a BJP leader, was 24 years old when the Indira Gandhi government declared Emergency in June 1975. He was appointed as the convenor for Mirzapur-Sonbhadra during the JP movement against the Emergency, which lasted until March 1977.
“I was imprisoned for our opposition to the Emergency. We used to protest and raise awareness among the people about the dangers of Emergency, highlighting its dictatorial tendencies,” Rajnath Singh told ANI.
“I had just gotten married and returned home after a long day of work. Upon arrival, I was informed by the police that there was a warrant for my arrest. It was around midnight when they took me into custody and placed me in solitary confinement,” he recounted.
He mentioned that individuals from various political parties were detained during the Emergency. “Our spirits remained high. I would chant slogans, and around 250 people in the compound would respond. We chanted: ‘Dictatorship will not be tolerated,'” the minister elaborated.
He recalled that there were no books available for the inmates, and they were served dal in brass utensils along with chapati, which they held in their hands. He mentioned that the arrested leaders were permitted to roam around in the compound for some time.
“… Perhaps I had a good temperament, so I remained in jail for so long (laughs). When I was being transferred from Mirzapur jail to Naini Central Jail, there were several policemen on the platform. My mother was also present and advised me, whatever happens, do not apologize…(upon hearing that) the police officers started crying,” he elaborated.
After a year in jail, his mother inquired about his release, but Rajnath Singh’s cousin broke the news that Emergency had been extended for another year. Upon hearing this, she suffered a brain hemorrhage and passed away after 27 days of hospitalization, recounted the BJP leader.
“I couldn’t attend… I wasn’t released, didn’t receive parole. My head was shaved in jail, and my brothers performed the last rites… I couldn’t be there…and yet, they accuse us of dictatorship without introspection,” he remarked.
“I was once again imprisoned for rallying people against the Emergency. Despite parole not ending, I was sent back to jail. There was a resolute determination to oppose the Emergency by any means necessary. I never succumbed to disappointment or despair. Such thoughts never crossed my mind. I firmly believe in the Almighty, accepting both challenges and joys that come my way,” he reminisced.
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