THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Marking 50 years since the declaration of the Emergency in India, the AKG Centre for Research and Studies organised an exhibition on Tuesday that revisited the dark, silenced chapter in the country’s democratic history.
Titled ‘Emergency: 50 Years Since the Semi-Fascist Regime’, the exhibition featured a wide collection of rare newspaper clippings, photographs and archival materials from the 1975-77 period. One of the most striking displays was a newspaper clippings of the blank editorial that was published against censorship imposed on the press. Also on display were political cartoons by R K Laxman and others, who used satire to criticise the regime during a time when free expression was under threat.
“There is a pressing need to hold exhibitions and discussions to remind what led to Emergency, because we are living through what feels like an undeclared Emergency. With laws like the UAPA, frequent ED raids, and increasing interference from the central government, efforts to silence the press, dissent, and public voices are intensifying. The raid on NewsClick and other media outlets are examples,” said C N Mohanan, director of AKG Centre for Research and Studies.
Photographs showed scenes from the period. Protesters on the streets, mass arrests, and then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi announcing the Emergency on All India Radio. The exhibition also documented the controversial forced sterilisation drives and underground protest movements through posters and photographs.
“One of the exhibits is a cartoon by Abu Abraham, depicting then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed signing an ordinance from his bathtub. It shows how he was rushed into approving the Emergency ordinance without cabinet consent. Each exhibit is a reminder of that dark period. This exhibition offers just a glimpse into the vast story of the Emergency into which one can dive into,” added C N Mohanan.
Posters of films that fell under the scanner during the Emergency were on display. ‘Aandhi’ and ‘Kissa Kursi Ka,’ both known for their criticism of the political climate, were displayed. These films faced censorship, bans, and in the case of Kissa Kursi Ka, complete destruction of its original prints.
Another clipping was from ‘A Prison Diary’, the writings of Snehalata Reddy, a theatre artist and social activist who was imprisoned for eight months during the Emergency.