[Statement Given by Girish Munshi]

Summary

This undated Swatantra Party press statement, issued by General Secretary Girish Munshi, condemns the Central Government’s declaration of an internal emergency under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the arrest of Jayaprakash Narayan and other non-Congress opposition leaders. It portrays the emergency as an attempt to consolidate dictatorial power, criticizes the use of a Supreme Court-granted conditional stay to impose the emergency, and argues that the government is preparing to destroy democracy.

Key points

• The statement condemns the declaration of an internal emergency and the arrests of Jayaprakash Narayan and other non-Congress opposition leaders.
• It argues that Indira Gandhi seeks to retain power at any cost and is using the emergency to assume dictatorial powers.
• The statement criticizes the supersession or removal of members of the judiciary, army, and civil services who allegedly refuse to endorse the government’s policies.
• It predicts that popular resistance will eventually overcome the government’s repression.
• The Swatantra Party aligns itself with other non-Congress opposition parties in defense of democracy.
• The statement condemns the arrests and what it calls the government’s corrupt and authoritarian designs.