KU turns battle zone as Bharat Mata image at governor's event sparks protests
The trouble began when the image, allegedly used by the RSS in its functions, was spotted at the Senate Hall, the venue of the event organised to mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency. The programme, scheduled to begin at 5.30pm, was organised by Sree Padmanaba Seva Samithi, a pro-right wing organisation and attended by BJP leaders, party workers and supporters.
On being informed, KU Registrar K S Anil Kumar told the organisers that religious symbols could not be used in a programme held at the varsity. As organisers were reluctant to call off the programme, Anil told them in writing that the event had been cancelled for violating the terms and conditions for using the hall.
By then, SFI workers gathered outside the hall in huge numbers, shouting slogans. Pro-left Syndicate members joined in. KSU workers also marched to the varsity and some attempted to enter the hall, leading to arguments and eventually fist fights with BJP supporters who were in the audience. The police soon intervened.
Meanwhile, Arlekar informed the registrar he would be attending the event. Amid tight security, he arrived around 6.25pm and offered floral tributes before the image of Bharat Mata.
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No newspapers were delivered on June 26 as electricity to Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, where most newspapers were situated, having been disconnected. My father's efforts to ascertain the gravity of the situation were in vain. Undeterred, he arrived at the DU campus with a plan to deliver a speech against the Emergency and then escape with the help of a friend who owned a scooter. Such was the terror of the Emergency however, that even the strongest of friendships wavered, and when my father arrived at the location, he found neither vehicle nor friend. He was arrested under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act and lodged in Tihar jail. My father took great pride in being the first satyagrahi against the Emergency. While my father was transferred to Ambala central jail after a week, his family was in the dark. Some rumours suggested that he had been sent to Kala Paani (Andamans), and others that he had been killed. My grandmother was overcome with grief and her health took a turn for the worse. My grandfather, torn between anguish and duty to hold the family together, used every resource to locate my father, and thereafter, ensure his transfer to Delhi. He filed petitions to enable my father to write his final year examination from jail. However, these were rejected on the ground that he was a threat to public order. He thus lost an academic year during his 19-month imprisonment. The loss was insignificant when compared to what his family endured. With my grandmother debilitated and my grandfather dedicating himself to ensuring my father's survival, it fell to his eldest sister Madhu, to manage her own home in Bikaner, as also that of my grandparents. She would travel by train weekly, for three days, cook as much food as possible and depart, to repeat this every fourth day. She recalls meeting my father in jail for a few minutes each month when she would carry food for him. 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This led my father to believe that democracy lies in the hearts of the people. When it dies there, no Constitution can save it, and no judge can protect it. Until then, it is safe and as immortal as India is. Rohan Jaitley is advocate, Supreme Court and president, Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA). The views expressed are personal.
