Unraveling History: Vijay Goel's 'Emergency' File

In a quiet corner of Vijay Goel's office at the Gandhi Smriti Museum rests a significant archive labelled "Emergency." This personal collection comprises pamphlets and letters from one of India's most tumultuous periods, the controversial Emergency declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on June 25, 1975.

Goel, once a student leader at Delhi University's Shri Ram College of Commerce, faced imprisonment in Tihar Jail for nearly six months under the oppressive regime. His father, Charti Lal Goel, a notable Jan Sangh leader, was arrested the same day and spent 19 months in Ambala Jail, alongside other key political figures.

Recounting the struggle, Goel described the courage and determination driving the underground resistance, emphasizing the importance of recalling this history to prevent future transgressions. This archive not only serves as a somber remembrance of the past but is a testament to the enduring spirit of democracy and freedom.

(With inputs from agencies.)