Text Of Resolutions Adopted by the General Council on November 15, and 16, 1969.

Summary

This three-page document records resolutions adopted by the Swatantra Party General Council on November 15 and 16, 1969. The resolutions ask the incoming National Executive to turn the Council’s Mid-Term Report into a more detailed programme of action, while focusing on civil liberties, press freedom, public order, and accountable governance. The Council condemns the Gujarat Government’s alleged misuse of preventive detention against legislators and citizens of Borsad, and urges reconsideration of action against the editor of Jai Hind, describing it as an attempt to restrict the freedom of the press.

The resolutions also address communal violence in Ahmedabad, calling for effective law and order and welcoming a Supreme Court-led commission of inquiry. They demand the restoration of normal administration in West Bengal and the dismissal of its government, express support for the family of Sardar Darshan Singh Pheruman in a dispute over his ashes, and criticise inadequate famine relief in Rajasthan, Andhra, Gujarat, and Orissa. The Council advocates impartial inquiries and the use of non-political, socially motivated organisations to distribute relief.

Key points

• The General Council adopts the Mid-Term Report and leaves detailed implementation to the new National Executive.
• The Council condemns the Gujarat Government’s use of preventive detention against members of the Legislative Assembly and other citizens in Borsad.
• The resolution on the editor of Jai Hind frames government action as a threat to freedom of the press.
• The Council attributes the Ahmedabad disturbances partly to administrative incompetence and welcomes a judicial commission of inquiry.
• The Council calls for the dismissal of the West Bengal Government and an end to the state of emergency there.
• The document protests restrictions on the disposal of Sardar Darshan Singh Pheruman’s ashes by his family.
• The Council criticises famine relief arrangements in Rajasthan and calls for impartial central inquiry.
• The Council urges that famine relief be distributed through non-political organisations to prevent partisan distribution and corruption.