Emergency: Activists say similar conditions prevail under BJP

A motley group of activists today came together to mark the imposition of Emergency 40 years ago by organising an evening of dialogue, music, poetry and short films and voiced their dissent against the policies of the BJP-led Centre.
The 'cultural protest', 'Bol ki Lab Azad Hai Tere - Speak Out For Your Lips Are Free', organised under the aegis of All India People's Forum at Jantar Mantar, was attended by a large number of factory workers from Wazirpur Industrial area here.
All India Progressive Women Association (AIPWA) Secretary Kavita Krishnan, who led the protests, likened the current situation to the Emergency saying the country was going through a period of "undeclared emergency" which called for a "sustained movement".

"It's a good day to remember what happened 40 years ago and apprise people that the same thing and worse is happening today without a declared emergency. It's an undeclared emergency," she said.
She said that the forum had chosen the mode of culture to protest as "one of the worst attacks of this government is also on culture and on our freedoms".
"We think we must have our right to express our freedom in every possible way. You can't dictate what we will eat, think and how we dress," Krishnan said.
Several noted social activists and academicians including Shabnam Hashmi, Roma Malik and Atul Sood spoke on the occasion.