[Swatantra party Opinion]

Summary

This two-page English resolution records the All-India Civil Liberties Conference’s alarm at the erosion of civil liberties, arbitrary detention without trial, mistreatment in jails, suppression of freedom of expression, and the use of radio, television, and a controlled press to shape public opinion. It calls for the immediate restoration of civil liberties and democratic processes.

The resolution authorises Citizens For Democracy to prepare and submit a nationwide petition to the Lok Sabha. Its demands are the revocation of the Proclamations of Emergency and withdrawal of abnormal laws affecting civil liberties; a general election before the first week of March 1976, as required by Article 83 of the Constitution; the release of political detainees and restoration of press freedom to ensure a free and fair election. The conference also directs that the petition be printed in regional languages and circulated in villages and towns for signatures.

Key points

• The conference describes the period as one of diminished civil liberties and replacement of the rule of law by arbitrary power.
• It condemns detention without trial and alleged ill-treatment of thousands of people in jails.
• It criticises suppression of freedom of expression and one-sided control of news and public opinion through broadcast media and the press.
• It seeks immediate restoration of civil liberties and democratic processes.
• It authorises Citizens For Democracy to submit a petition to the Lok Sabha.
• The petition demands withdrawal of emergency proclamations and abnormal laws affecting civil liberties.
• It calls for elections before the first week of March 1976, with political detainees released and press freedom restored.
• The resolution proposes printing and circulating the petition in regional languages throughout India.