Fundamental liberties could be curtailed again: LK Advani

'I don’t have the confidence that Emergency cannot happen again,' says BJP veteran LK Advani days ahead of the 40th anniversary of the imposition of Emergency. 

At a time when the Modi government is grappling with Modigate in which two of its leaders -- External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje -- are embroiled, veteran Bharatiya Janata Party leader LK Advani has chosen to ruffle party feathers by saying that an Emergency-like situation can happen again in India.

'I do not say that the political leadership is not mature. But I don’t have the confidence that Emergency cannot happen again,' Advani has said in an interview in the Indian Express, days ahead of the 40th anniversary of the imposition of the Emergency on June 25, 1975.

Advani said the country’s political system has still not come to terms with the Emergency of 1975. Since the imposition of Emergency during 1975-77, 'I don’t think anything has been done that gives me the assurance that civil liberties will not be suspended or destroyed again. Not at all,' Advani told the English daily.

'Of course, no one can do it easily… But that it cannot happen again -- I will not say that. It could be that fundamental liberties are curtailed again,' he added.

When asked why he believed that the imposition of an Emergency was possible, the veteran leader said, 'I do not see any sign in our polity that assures me, any outstanding aspect of leadership. A commitment to democracy and to all other aspects related to democracy is lacking.'

He added, 'At the present point of time, the forces that can crush democracy, notwithstanding the constitutional and legal safeguards, are stronger.'

However, Advani said he was not implying that the Indian political leadership was immature. But, he added that because of its inherent weaknesses he is not able to have faith in the political system.

In the interview, when asked why the Emergency was more difficult to deal with, Advani responds, 'Because of the guilt. The Partition was British guilt. The Emergency is ours.'

While many in the political circles believe it is a barb aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh dismissed it while Congress and other BJP rivals shared his concern.

Commenting on Advani’s remarks, RSS ideologue M G Vaidya said Advani is a member of the BJP’s Magadarshak Mandal and he did not think he was sending a message to Modi.

“I don’t feel anything like that. He (Advani) is quite senior in age and experience. So he can talk to Modi. He is in the ‘Margdarshak Mandal’ of BJP. I don’t think he has an intention of sending a message to Modi through this interview."

BJP spokesperson M J Akbar also felt it was not aimed at individuals but at institutions. “I think Advanji was referring to institutions rather than to individuals. I respect his views, but I personally don’t see Emergency, any chance of any Emergency being reimposed in the country. I think that age is over, Indian democracy is too strong, much stronger now,” he said.

However, Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan latched on to Advani’s remarks saying the “jury is out” from the ruling party itself and he was indeed hinting at an “Emergency-like” situation under Modi’s rule.

“Today the jury is out. Advaniji is vocal. What he had to say, he has said,” he told reporters.

“It is obvious whom he is talking about, whose government is there, who is the PM. He knows it. But he is a statesman-like leader of the BJP. He did not want to name the PM. But whoever reads the interview, he/she would understand he is talking about Modi,” Vadakkan said. 

Quoting from Advani’s remarks, he said the veteran leader is “right” when he says the present situation in the country signals towards Emergency.

-- With inputs from PTI