Sonia Gandhi Breaks Silence On Emergency, Says Indira Was Under Pressure From Senior Colleagues

New Delhi: Congress Parliamentary Party President Sonia Gandhi, remembering the Emergency period, has said that it would not be right to put the responsibility of the atrocities committed at that time only on Sanjay Gandhi. In an interview, she said that the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was under pressure from some of her senior colleagues. Sonia also said that Indira Gandhi later regretted the tough decisions taken during the Emergency. Her book Belonging: A Journey of Love is scheduled to be published on November 10.

Was Sanjay Gandhi alone responsible for the emergency?

Sonia Gandhi said that generally Sanjay Gandhi is associated with the Emergency, but holding her alone responsible for the decisions of that period does not present the correct picture. According to her, there was pressure from some senior associates of Indira Gandhi also. She also said that there were some people around Indira who had a different perspective and who gave her a different picture of the situation.

How did the voice of dissent reach Indira Gandhi?

In the interview, Sonia mentioned her husband Rajiv Gandhi and said that she was one of those people who had a different viewpoint from Indira Gandhi. She used to tell her mother her complaints and feedback. According to Sonia, with time Indira Gandhi understood the situation and took corrective steps. Her statement also mentioned the differences within the government during the emergency and the process of reconsidering the decisions.

Did Sonia accept curtailment of rights during the emergency?

Sonia Gandhi admitted that democratic rights were restricted during the Emergency. She said that the steps taken during that period were implemented under the constitutional process. Also, according to her, incidents like protests, arson and unrest were also part of the background of the situation at that time. This comment highlights two aspects of her assessment of the emergency, the curtailment of powers and the circumstances at that time.

Did Indira Gandhi regret her decisions?

According to Sonia, Indira Gandhi later publicly regretted and apologised for the strict measures taken during the Emergency. She also mentioned Indira Gandhi's decision to hold elections in March 1977. Sonia said that events can be understood better by looking back later. In her statement, the holding of elections and her public expression of regret were placed as important events of that period.

What's in Sonia Gandhi's new book?

Belonging: A Journey of Love is a book based on Sonia Gandhi's personal memories and life experiences. It also includes incidents related to her relationship with Rajiv Gandhi, their first meeting and their love story. There are references to politics in the book, but it is also presented as the story of her personal life and journey. It is scheduled to be published on November 10.

Why is the issue of emergency important in interviews?

In the interview given before the publication of the book, Sonia talked about her personal life as well as a controversial phase of Indian politics. Her comments on responsibility for the Emergency, pressure from Indira Gandhi's allies and her later regrets reveal her understanding of the decisions taken at that time. Her statement not only did not consider Sanjay Gandhi guilty but also included an admission of curtailment of democratic rights.