Emergency: Revisiting The Darkest Hours Of Democracy

Summary

The script recounts the political journey of Indira Gandhi, from her deification after the 1971 Bangladesh War victory to the challenges of corruption accusations and the 1975 Emergency declaration, which suspended civil liberties and led to mass arrests and censorship. It details the rise of her son Sanjay Gandhi and the subsequent backlash against their regime, culminating in Indira's electoral defeat in 1977. The narrative also touches on her dramatic return to power in 1980, with Sanjay's influence on the Congress Party.

Takeaways

• 🇮🇳 The 1971 Bangladesh War led to a decisive victory by the Indian army, elevating Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to a deity-like status, often compared to the goddess Durga.
• 🏆 The euphoria of victory resulted in the Congress party, led by Indira Gandhi, sweeping the 1972 assembly elections both at the center and in the states, solidifying its dominance.
• 🚀 Indira Gandhi's political challenges escalated two years later with a serious case against her over election irregularities, leading to a historic judgment by Justice Jagmohan Sinh at the Allahabad High Court.
• 📛 The judgment found Indira Gandhi guilty of electoral malpractice, invalidating her election and barring her from office for six years, which was a significant blow to her political career.
• 🗳️ Amidst accusations of corruption and a growing student movement, opposition parties staged protests, bringing the country to a standstill and intensifying the political crisis.
• 🤝 During her political crisis, Indira Gandhi turned to her son Sanjay for support, who along with his supporters, arranged demonstrations of support and loyalty.
• 📜 On June 25, 1975, a state of emergency was declared by Indira Gandhi, suspending fundamental rights and effectively making her a dictator, leading to the arrest of opposition leaders and strict censorship.
• 🛑 The emergency period was marked by the rise of Sanjay Gandhi and his aggressive cohorts, who were seen as unruly and undisciplined, contributing to a reign of terror, including forced sterilization campaigns.
• 📢 The media was heavily censored during the emergency, with the press required to adhere to strict guidelines, significantly impacting press freedom.
• 🗳️ In 1977, Indira Gandhi called for fresh elections, ending the 19-month-long emergency, but was met with a strong backlash from the public, leading to her defeat.
• 🔄 Despite her defeat, Indira Gandhi made a political comeback in 1980, returning as Prime Minister with a new Congress party where Sanjay and his allies held significant influence.

Q & A

What significant event occurred during the 1971 Bangladesh War that impacted Indira Gandhi's image?

The Indian army's decisive victory in the 1971 Bangladesh War transformed Prime Minister Indira Gandhi into a deity, and she was compared to the goddess Durga.

How did the Congress party perform in the 1972 assembly elections following the victory in the Bangladesh War?

The Congress party swept the polls in the 1972 assembly elections both at the center and in the states, reflecting Indira Gandhi's strong influence and popularity.

What was the political challenge Indira Gandhi faced in 1975 that threatened the future of Indian democracy?

Indira Gandhi faced a serious political challenge in 1975 when the Allahabad High Court found her guilty of electoral malpractices, which led to widespread protests and ultimately the declaration of a state of emergency.

Who was the opposition leader that stood against Indira Gandhi in the 1971 election and later challenged her over election irregularities?

Raj Narayan was the opposition leader who stood against Indira Gandhi in the 1971 election and later launched a case against her over election irregularities.

What was the outcome of the case filed by Raj Narayan against Indira Gandhi, and what were the implications for her political career?

The case filed by Raj Narayan resulted in Indira Gandhi being found guilty of two counts of electoral malpractice, invalidating her election and barring her from office for six years.

How did the opposition's campaign against Indira Gandhi's government contribute to the political crisis of 1975?

The opposition accused Indira Gandhi's government of rampant corruption and launched a major campaign against her, leading protests and rallies that brought the country to a standstill, which contributed to the political crisis of 1975.

What was the role of Sanjay Gandhi during Indira Gandhi's political crisis in 1975?

During the political crisis, Sanjay Gandhi, Indira's younger son, provided support and advice. He and his supporters arranged demonstrations of support and loyalty and convinced Indira to fight back against the opposition and the court's ruling.

What was the significance of the state of emergency declared by Indira Gandhi in 1975?

The declaration of a state of emergency in 1975 marked a significant shift in Indian politics, as it led to the suspension of fundamental rights of citizens and effectively made Indira Gandhi a dictator, with the ability to suppress opposition and enforce strict censorship.

What were the consequences of the emergency declaration for the opposition leaders and the media?

During the emergency, leading opposition figures were arrested, and the press faced strict censorship, with newspapers required to submit their content for approval before publication.

How did the public's reaction to the emergency influence the political landscape leading up to the 1977 elections?

The public's negative reaction to the emergency, including the excesses committed during this period, led to a strong opposition movement. This ultimately resulted in Indira Gandhi's defeat in the 1977 elections and the rise of the Janata Party.

Outlines

00:00

🎉 Indira Gandhi's 1971 Victory and Emerging Crisis

In 1971, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's leadership during the Bangladesh War elevated her status, with comparisons made to the goddess Durga. This victory bolstered the Congress Party's success in the 1972 elections. However, just two years later, Gandhi faced significant political challenges. Socialist leader Raj Narain accused her of election malpractices, leading to a landmark case in the Allahabad High Court. On June 12, 1975, Justice Jagmohan Sinha found Gandhi guilty on two counts, invalidating her election and banning her from office for six years. This verdict came amid growing opposition accusations of corruption and unrest, sparking widespread protests and a national crisis.

05:01

🚨 Imposition of Emergency and Suppression of Opposition

Following the court's decision against Indira Gandhi, India was plunged into a state of emergency. Late at night on June 25, 1975, a state of emergency was declared, with President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed's approval. Fundamental rights were suspended, censorship was imposed, and opposition leaders, including Jayaprakash Narayan and Morarji Desai, were arrested. The press was heavily censored, and Indira Gandhi effectively became a dictator. Sanjay Gandhi, Indira's younger son, emerged as a significant power figure, leading aggressive youth movements and implementing controversial programs, including forced sterilizations, which became a hallmark of the emergency period.

10:01

⛓️ Arrest of George Fernandes and Repercussions of Emergency

The emergency's repressive measures intensified with the arrest of George Fernandes, a prominent opposition leader. He and his colleagues were paraded in handcuffs and chains, symbolizing the harshness of Indira Gandhi's regime. On January 18, 1977, in a surprising move, Indira Gandhi announced the lifting of the emergency and called for fresh elections, underestimating the public's resentment. The opposition, led by Morarji Desai, united under the Janata Party, capitalizing on widespread anger over the emergency's excesses, including forced sterilizations and brutal suppression of dissent.

15:02

🔙 Indira Gandhi's Attempted Comeback and Political Arrest

Indira Gandhi's political instincts led her on a campaign trail to regain public support, notably with a dramatic visit to the flood-hit village of Belchi, Bihar, which revitalized her image. Her growing popularity alarmed the Janata government, leading to her arrest on October 3, 1977. The arrest was intended to discredit her but backfired as it garnered public sympathy. Gandhi's defiant behavior during the arrest and her strategic engagement with supporters underscored her resilience. The government's mishandling of the arrest further damaged its credibility, setting the stage for Gandhi's political resurgence.

20:05

👩‍⚖️ Indira Gandhi's Resurgence and Sanjay Gandhi's Influence

Indira Gandhi's political acumen allowed her to navigate the aftermath of the emergency and regain power. By 1980, she returned as Prime Minister, with Sanjay Gandhi and his loyalists exerting significant influence over the Congress Party. Sanjay's controversial initiatives during the emergency, including media censorship and mass sterilizations, left a lasting impact on Indian politics. Despite public backlash and legal challenges, Sanjay's role in shaping the party's direction became more pronounced. Indira Gandhi's return marked a shift in Indian politics, dominated by the younger Gandhi's authoritarian style and policies.

Keywords

💡Bangladesh War

The Bangladesh War, also known as the Liberation War, was a pivotal conflict in 1971 that led to the creation of Bangladesh. In the video, the decisive victory by the Indian army in this war transformed Prime Minister Indira Gandhi into a deity, highlighting the war's significant impact on her political stature and the national sentiment at the time.

💡Indira Gandhi

Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984. The video script discusses her transformation into a deity-like figure after the Bangladesh War, her political challenges, and the Emergency period. She is a central figure in the narrative, symbolizing both leadership and controversy.

💡Emergency

The term 'Emergency' in the Indian context refers to the 21-month period from 1975 to 1977 when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency, suspending many civil liberties and governing with authoritarian means. The script describes this period as a time of censorship, mass arrests, and forced sterilizations, which significantly affected the democratic fabric of India.

💡Electoral Malpractice

Electoral malpractice refers to illegal activities or unethical practices during an election. In the video, Indira Gandhi is found guilty of two counts of electoral malpractice, which led to her being disqualified from office for six years. This event is a critical turning point in the narrative, leading to a series of political upheavals.

💡Sanjay Gandhi

Sanjay Gandhi was the younger son of Indira Gandhi and played a significant role in Indian politics during the Emergency. The script mentions his support to his mother during her political crisis and his rise as an alternative power center. His involvement in the youth congress and the controversial sterilization program is highlighted, showing his influence and the challenges it posed to democratic norms.

💡Censorship

Censorship in this context refers to the control or suppression of speech, images, or information by the government. The script describes how the press was censored during the Emergency, with strict rules on what could be published, illustrating the government's efforts to control information and public discourse.

💡Opposition

The opposition in a political system is any group or party that is not in power and typically offers alternative views or policies. In the video, the opposition is portrayed as a force against Indira Gandhi's rule, staging protests and challenging her government's actions, particularly during the Emergency.

💡Janata Party

The Janata Party was a political party in India that emerged in the mid-1970s. The script mentions its formation from the merger of four non-communist parties and its role in the 1977 elections, where it defeated Indira Gandhi's party, leading to a change in government and a return to democratic norms.

💡Mass Sterilization

Mass sterilization refers to the large-scale surgical procedure to render individuals incapable of reproduction, often as part of family planning initiatives. The video script describes the controversial campaign led by Sanjay Gandhi during the Emergency, which became a significant stigma of that period due to its forced nature and human rights concerns.

💡Political Resurgence

Political resurgence refers to a situation where a political figure or party regains power or influence after a period of decline. The script illustrates Indira Gandhi's resurgence in the late 1970s, showing her ability to reconnect with the public and regain support despite previous setbacks.

💡Sha Commission

The Sha Commission was an inquiry commission set up by the Indian government in 1977 to investigate the excesses committed during the Emergency. The script mentions the commission's role in examining the actions of the government and individuals like Sanjay Gandhi, highlighting the process of accountability in a democratic system.

Highlights

The 1971 Bangladesh War and the Indian army's victory elevated Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to a deity-like status, drawing comparisons to the goddess Durga.

Following the victory, the Congress party swept the 1972 assembly elections, reflecting Indira Gandhi's strong influence on the party.

Indira Gandhi faced a serious political challenge in 1975 when Raj Narayan, a socialist candidate, contested election irregularities against her.

Justice Jagmohan Sinha delivered a historic judgment on June 12, 1975, finding Indira Gandhi guilty of electoral malpractices and barring her from office for six years.

The opposition accused the Gandhi government of corruption and launched a major campaign against her, leading to widespread protests.

During a political crisis, Indira Gandhi turned to her son Sanjay for support, who helped arrange demonstrations of support and loyalty.

The declaration of a state of emergency on June 25, 1975, by Indira Gandhi marked the suspension of fundamental rights and effectively made her a dictator.

Leading opposition figures were arrested during the emergency, including JP, Morarji Desai, and LK Advani.

Censorship was imposed on the press, with the Times of India office experiencing pandemonium due to the sudden restrictions.

Sanjay Gandhi and his cohorts were seen as aggressive and unruly, with Sanjay being groomed for higher political roles.

Forced sterilization campaigns under the guise of family planning gave the emergency its most notorious stigma.

The arrest of George Fernandez, who had gone underground, showcased the ruthlessness of the regime.

Indira Gandhi surprised the world by ending the 19-month-long emergency and announcing fresh elections in 1977.

The Janata Party, led by Morarji Desai, won the 1977 elections, marking a stunning defeat for Indira Gandhi.

Indira Gandhi's return to strength after her electoral defeat was marked by her visit to the village of Belchi, where she walked several kilometers to meet the survivors of a massacre.

The arrest of Indira Gandhi in 1977 and the subsequent court case, which dismissed the charges against her, demonstrated her enduring political influence.

The Sha Commission's inquiry into the emergency's excesses put Sanjay Gandhi in the spotlight, with allegations of his involvement in mass arrests and censorship.

Indira Gandhi made a strong comeback in the 1980 elections, leading a new Congress party influenced by Sanjay and his cronies.

Transcripts

in

1971 Bangladesh War and the decisive

Victory by the Indian army transformed

prime minister indraa Gandhi into a

deity she was compared to the goddess

Durga in the Euphoria Victory the

Congress swept the polls in the 1972

assembly elections both in the center

and the states it was preeminent the

Congress by now had been shaped to

reflect her personality and preferences

yet just 2 years later indraa Gandhi was

to face her most serious political

challenge one that would force the

daughter of India's first prime minister

javal La Nero to jeopardize the very

fate and future of Indian democracy

itself Raj Nar the Socialist candidate

who stood against indera from ryber in

the 1971 election

launched a case against her over

election

irregularities 4 years later at the

alahabad high court justice jahon sin

was ready to deliver his judgment on the

12th of June

1975 I treat every judgment and every

case alike I never thought that it was a

historic judgment because if I if a

judge thinks that there is a very

important case then it can s

judgment it was a historic judgment

nonetheless one that found Inda Gandhi

guilty on two counts of electoral

malpractice it invalidated indra's

election and dispar her from office for

6 years Raj Naran stood Triumph in front

of the World

Press people to and reaffirm their faith

in the Democratic institutions of India

I accept the judgment with

humility this judgment came at a time

when the opposition had launched a major

campaign against indraa Gandhi accusing

her government of rampant

corruption it was led by the Aging

patriarch jash n the student based Santi

movement had been gathering strength

fors

every day in cities across the country

opposition parties had been staging

protest rallies against Mrs Gandhi's

rule the country was coming to a

standstill sensing the moment was right

the opposition went in for the

kill at the time of her Supreme

political crisis Mrs Gandhi turned to

her younger son Sanjay for support and

advice

Justice senner had granted a stay order

for 20 days to give the government time

to appoint a new prime minister Sanjay

Gandhi and his supporters used this time

to arrange demonstrations of support and

loyalty they convinced IND to fight

back by one judge in a high court

pronouncing a judgment and the

opposition of that time saying that uh

that is the end of the matter and we

won't wait and Mrs Gandhi must

go uh was what we were agitating

against on the 20th of June 1975 indraa

Gandhi's lawyers filed an appeal in the

Supreme Court while Mrs Gandhi defiantly

addressed a massive gathering at the

boat club in the country it is my duty

to see that nothing is done anywhere in

any corner of the world which can cast

any reflection on this character of the

Indian people

on the evening of 25th June the

opposition parties announced Countrywide

protests to force Mrs Gandhi's

resignation the call was given to

commence an agitation in every part of

India which

government could possibly

tolerate a situation of this kind when

not only the people have been asked to

revolt but it is said that the army and

the police should treat this as their

own

struggle sidat Shankar R helped IND

draft a

proclamation he declared that a grave

emergency exists whereby the security of

India is threatened by internal

disturbances then she said then we

should go to the presid I said yes then

she said you come with me we were with

the president maybe about 2 hours 1 and

a half hours she explained the facts to

the president showed him the reports and

everything to what the position was and

what the latest uh appeal was to the

people what do we do about it and then I

took over I explained the law and that

emergency for internal disturbance can

be

declared if the danger was

imminent the president fakin Ali Ahmed

signed it just before midnight and for

the first time since Independence the

state of emergency was declared

fundamental rights of the citizen was

suspended and Mrs Gandhi in effect

became a

dictator leading opposition figures had

been rounded up in the dead of night JP

was

arrested 600 other opposition leaders

including moraji Desai and Elk advani

were also arrested J prash G has been

arrested murai has been

arrested and then we consulted wajp and

myself and we decided to await the

police arrival and to leave so they came

at about 7:30 or so and picked us

up back in Delhi just after mid night

members of Indira Gandhi's cabinet were

woken up by a phone call they were told

to attend a meeting at 6:00 in the

morning the state of emergency declared

in the country was to be retrospectively

endorsed by the

cabinet she called her cabinet and

informed her about this and cabinet

approved wholly without any objection

nobody

objected she pointed out everything

threadbear as to why this was

n so this is how it happened

that night pal was cut off from bahadur

Sha zafur mag the Fleet Street of India

where the offices of almost all the

major national dailies are

located censorship was imposed on the

press the emergency was declared and

there's complete pandemonium in the

times of India office people didn't know

what to do we were not used to

censorship of the press and this has

been we were given notices that nothing

was to publish unless it been advisor

sensor when I discussed it with great

length and she wouldn't agree with me at

all she said there can be no uh

emergency no press Freedom with

emergency they have to tow the line but

the emergency placed extraordinary power

in the hands of an extra-constitutional

authority a man largely seen as Reckless

and arrogant Sanjay Gandhi had gathered

around him a bunch of aggressive cohorts

who to many people were nothing more

than unruly undisciplined muscle

men it was obvious that Mrs Gandhi's

youngest son was being groomed for

higher

things he was the star attraction in the

mammoth youth congress rally held in New

delhi's prati Maan in 1976

in the GTI all India Congress committee

meet Mrs Gandhi went a step further she

declared the youth congress has stolen

our Thunder at that time the youth

congress was playing a very active role

we had a very concrete program and it

was a new generation of Youth coming in

so it was a new Resurgence in the poity

of the country in

guati a it was youth congress for the

first time you saw so many youth

congress banners you saw so many youth

congress workers from all over the

country and many of the very older

leaders looked alien there they started

looking that what is this

happening her official blessings on sanj

as an alternative Power Center was the

signal for the youth congress Brigade to

unleash what turned out to be a reign of

terror inevitable stories of excesses

began to surface in the name of

beautification the capital's turkman

gate area was

bulldozed its occupants

relocated but it was the force

sterilization campaign in the name of

Family Planning which gave the emergency

its overriding

stigma sanj's meteoric rise was helped

by the fact that the opposition was

silenced its leaders under arrest and

strict censorship in force

the ruthlessness of the regime came out

when George Fernandez who had gone

underground was finally arrested and

produced in court in handcuffs it's not

just a handcuff those handcuffs and

chains used to be every day when I used

to be brought to the

court I and my colleagues used to be

brought to the court we were 22 of us

and as we

were every morning we had to be brought

to the court when the trial began or

earlier in the when when dates were

taken at that time plus a

chain with which two policemen chained

themselves to me and similarly to other

colleagues that was Mrs Gandhi's way of

telling you that you know how I can

Crush

you on the 18th of January 1977 Mrs

Gandhi with her Instinct for the

dramatic surprised the World by making

an unscheduled broadcast to the nation

announcing an end to the 19mon long

emergency fresh elections were

announced insulated from the public mood

indraa Gandhi had underestimated hatred

of the emergency and the opposition

strategy jagan Ram the powerful dalit

leader in indra's cabinet was the first

to revolt he was joined by hn bahuguna

former up chief minister who had for

fallen out with Sanjay Gandhi his

resignation from the congress party

electrified the political atmosphere

four non-communist parties merged with

the janatha party under the atic moraji

Desai though JP remained its load

star 2 months later in a stunning

election outcome Mrs Gandhi was swept

out of

pal well uh well she got a terrible

driving from no one less than a buffoon

I think

rajar and San lost two and I came to see

them when she was now in a different

house and very W beone looked very sad

and I

asked she said

feedback she' been told the feedback she

got was that she was very popular and

would sweep the poles this is her own

own government information agencies so I

said to her Mr Gandhi

feedback muraji Desai heading a mly

collection of opposition parties was

sworn in as prime minister the janta

party already Riven by dissension took

yet another vow at rajar the Samari of

Mahatma

Gandhi Mrs Gandhi's humiliating defeat

was clearly more to do with the excesses

of the emergency than popular support

for the janta party the flood of

exposures in the media had laid the

blame for those excesses on the

so-called gang of four Sanjay architect

and the chief enforcer of the mass

sterilization program bual defense

minister and Sanjay's Hatchet Man

minister of State for home Oma who on

sanj's orders orchestrated the mass

arrests of politicians in journalists

and VC Shukla the Arrogant Minister for

information and broadcasting who

enforced censorship rules with an iron

hand everything was done according to

law even press censorship was done

according to law the law may be B

emergency was prated that much B but

there were under certain provisions of

the Constitution which were later on

deleted but they were under law of the

land at that particular moment that time

were not illegal Acts or they were not

high-handed acts against the

law within months however the Juna party

was in crisis indraa Gandhi began to

attract supporters

again in July 1977 in Bel a remote

Village in Bear local landlords had

massacred whole families of landless

hurrians

while the government dithered indraa

Gandhi decided to visit the village all

parts to belchi had been washed away by

The Monsoon rains and hardly had she

covered any distance when her Jeep got

stuck Mrs Gandhi then started her march

on foot she had walked a few kilometers

when morti the elephant came to her

rescue after 3 and 1/2 hours with the

sun setting behind her Inda Gandhi

reached

Bel the survivors of the massacre came

running out of the village to greet her

she was with them for a short while but

by the time her cavalcade started the

March back the enthusiastic response

from the crowds could mean only one

thing Mrs Gandhi was on the comeback

Trail indra's return to strength

infuriated the government this provoked

jri Charan Singh the home minister who

ordered the arrest of Mrs Gandhi on the

3rd of October 1977

when the CBI and the police arrived at

12 Willington Crescent she made them

wait for several hours then insisted on

being

handcuffed our first reaction even

sanj's reaction was that they come to

arrest

him but the police was in hundreds and

there was I think Mrs K there also with

them at the gate they had a net as if

you know they would fly off or

something

and then we I mean sanj went and talked

to the officers concerned and they said

they' have come to arrest Mrs Gandhi now

they didn't have a warrant of arrest so

Sanjay G I mean he said that you can't

arrest unless you have a warrant of

arrest for her and then in the meantime

he gave me a list of MPS and journalist

to

contact God because they cut the phones

in the

house her supporters soon moed the house

Mrs Gandhi's historyonics showed that

her legendary political instincts were

still intact it also gave Sanjay Gandhi

and his activists another opportunity to

flex their muscles when she eventually

left the house at 7:30 in the evening

she was showered with roast petals by

the cheering

crowd the police car headed towards

harana followed by Sanjay Gandhi and her

support

at luckwood

habit before the harana was crossed

there was a level crossing that was

closed and Railway train was going to go

but the whole thing had to stop

there realizing that she was being taken

outside the jurisdiction of a deli

warrant Mrs Gandhi got out of the car

and sat on the ground surrounded by her

lawyers and

supporters after the level crossing was

open

they were requesting her to uh come and

sit in the Jeep but she refused she she

wouldn't sit in the Jeep unless the jeep

was turned and she was taking back to

Delhi so this one Mr NK Singh he tried

to grab her wrist and her arm to take

her forcibly and she uh scolded him very

very strongly and everybody said that

we'll we'll kill you if you touch her

like this and all that the motorcade

turned back to

Delhi the janta government had committed

its first major political blunder and

its greatest administrative B the next

day indraa Gandhi was produced in

court outside the court Sanjay and his

gangs battled with the police and janta

party

supporters the case against Mrs Gandhi

was that she had entered into a criminal

conspiracy with industrial housing

to provide her and her son Sanjay with

Jeeps for their election

campaign inside the court the judge

dismissed the case Mrs Gandhi was

free meanwhile in another Court

Witnesses and depositions were piling up

as the Sha commission began its inquiry

into the excesses of the emergency

Sanjay was made to appear to hear the

allegations against him

accompanied him and Mana to the Sha

commission as sanj entered there was

free for it broke loose chairs tables

everything we H at each other uh I took

shelter behind uh Kiran B she asked

me and I saw this fight go on and fought

back I couldn't believe and they tore

his shirt and he hit back he's a very

powerful man he was short but he's very

very powerful and within 10 minutes sanj

of course had carried his goons with him

too they got the better of the others

and threw them out of the court and the

Charming incident was that while all

this was going on and jusa hadn't come

on this from his Chambers to the room

Mena left over the railing which

separated the courtroom from the judge's

chair and table and she picked up two of

his pens you know with from the holder

and gave them to me as motos I had them

for many years with me it was the

Supreme Court however which decided that

Sanjay Gandhi deserved to be in the same

place he had put hundreds of his

opponents in diar jail the case

notoriously called the Kissa Kura case

one in which a satirical film had been

banned and its negatives destroyed was

ironically one that had aroused the

least Publican media interest Sanjay was

eventually released amid high drama and

familiar disruptions by his

supporters 34 months after her worst

ever electoral defeat Mrs Gandhi stormed

back as prime minister in the 1980

elections

but this was a new congress party one

where Sanjay and his cronies called the

shots what effect San's power would have

on Indian politics would never be known