Dark days of Emergency

Apropos of ‘When Zail Singh & Bansi Lal vied for Indira’s attention to shut down The Tribune’ and Emergency-related Edit and Op-ed articles; they remind us emphatically of the darks days our nation faced bravely. Leaders such as Chaudhary Charan Singh, Babu Jagjivan Ram, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Morarji Desai sincerely followed the path of peaceful resistance shown by Jayaprakash Narayan, the most vocal critic of the Emergency. The masses trusted JP as a selfless public leader who had no axe to grind. When he gave a clarion call to vote against the Congress regime in March 1977, he was heard by the masses, who dislodged Indira Gandhi from power. The Tribune has made a big effort by culling news reports published on June 25, the day on which the Emergency was declared 50 years ago.

Raj Bahadur Yadav, Fatehabad

Surviving the clampdown

Refer to ‘When Zail Singh & Bansi Lal vied for Indira’s attention to shut down The Tribune’; the newspaper exhibited fearlessness during the Emergency when it was on the verge of a forcible shutdown. Adhering to the censorship rules of the Emergency in letter and spirit, the newspaper continued with its transparent reporting, which helped it carve a special place in the hearts of its readers. The writer has truly opined that The Tribune’s ability to strike a balance between courage and caution, duty and dissent, helped it survive the tumultuous period.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi, Sangrur

Institutions must stand firm

Refer to ‘Freedom was the first casualty in 1975’; for 21 months, fundamental rights were suspended, Opposition leaders jailed and press freedom crushed — in the name of political survival. It was a period when fear replaced debate and authoritarianism overrode constitutional values. The people’s verdict in the 1977 General Election was not just a political shift — it was a powerful reaffirmation of democracy and the right to dissent. Today, 50 years later, it is vital to recall the Emergency not merely as history, but as a warning that institutions must stand firm, not falter, in the face of abuse of power.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

UN must play proactive role

Refer to ‘Ceasefire in peril’; conflicts involving Israel-Iran, Russia-Ukraine and China-Taiwan threaten world stability. The US often acts as a global policeman, while the UN remains a mute spectator. India’s call for peace through UN reforms seeks redefining of veto powers and strengthening democratic institutions. Peace must not depend on power or political whims. A collective global effort is essential to make peace a right, not a privilege.

Vijay Kumar Katial, Panchkula

Overcoming gender bias

Refer to ‘Shift towards girls’; the global shift towards valuing a girl child represents a crucial opportunity for India to challenge deep-seated gender biases and move towards a more equitable society. While an improvement in the child sex ratio in various states is encouraging, true progress requires addressing systemic issues such as unequal access to education, inheritance and social mobility for girls, especially in villages. By eliminating practices like dowry, enforcing gender-neutral policies and empowering women through education, India can transform societal perceptions.

Devina Badhwar, Rohtak

War against drugs

The Punjab Government had given an ultimatum to finish the drug menace by May 30. But it has extended the deadline by two months. It is common knowledge that the drug trade is a worldwide phenomenon and its network has spread with advancements in technology. Moreover, the drug business is not possible without a nexus between drug dealers, peddlers, cops and politicians. The big fish are protected, while the small fry easily fall prey to the law. In Iran, Singapore, China and Saudi Arabia, death sentence is awarded for drug trafficking. Is such a drastic step ever possible in India?

Bansi Ram, Hoshiarpur

Letters to the Editor