The Emergency- A Personal History by Coomi Kapoor

The Emergency - A Personal History

by Coomi Kapoor

            I just finished this book on 'Emergency' imposed on the country by Smt Indira Gandhi in June 1975. It is very well written book by Coomi Kapoor whose husband Mr Vrender Kapoor, was also one of the detenues  just because he, as a journalist  questioned Ambika Soni on use of police force on protesting students. 

       

       Having read about the brutal use of sweeping powers in the hands of police, bureaucrats and congress functionaries,  one can dare say that the hatred of Congress, in the minds of those who suffered during this period, is justified. There was no 'Daleel', 'Vakil', ans 'Appeal' in those days. Even the wrong persons who were put into prison by mistake continued to rot there for  more than year. But the most disappointing part of the story is that how all these politicians, bureaucrats, and police personnel got away with and in fact, later on, persons like Navin Chawla rose to much higher ranks before retirement. Chapters on heroic struggles of Ram Nath Goenka, Subramanium Swami, George Fernandes are superbly written.

       This book is must read by every citizen who wants to know about the 'dark chapter' of recent Indian History. Indeed a splendid effort by Coomi  Kapoor. 

The Colonel who Would not Repent by Salil Tripathi

             The book 'The Colonel who Would not Repent ' written by Salil Tripathi  is very well researched book on events that led to creation of Bangladesh and various coups that took place later. Little is known about the events that led to killing of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman just four  years after his return to Bangladesh as hero of freedom struggle. This book fills the void. The author has given detailed account of origin of Bangladesh movement, the war of 1971 in Bangladesh and later events including number of coups and counter coups that led to number of killings of numbers of leaders and army officers who had fought for liberation of Bangladesh as leaders of Mukti Bahini. 

      Salil Tripathi has carried out interviews with number of rape victims and eye witnesses who suvived mass killings by Pakistan Army. The author has given vivid details of fatal errors commited by Sheikh Mujibur Rehman that led to his downfall and ultimate death in the hands of his own army. Ironically his killers were not only pardoned but also appointed ambassadors in various countries by subsequent governments. However later most of them were hanged through trials by courts. The author had interviewed Lt Col Farooq the mastermind of coup   against Sheikh Mujibur Rehman who never regretted the crime and after whom this book is named as such.

        Overall this book is worth reading. Though a bit lengthy (380 pages) but very engrossing and must read by persons interesed to know the dark days of history of Bangladesh.