When a Cook Became a Political Prisoner During Emergency
During the Emergency in India, a raid at Jawaharlal Nehru University mistakenly led to the arrest of Prof. ML Sondhi's cook, amid fabricated claims of a political conspiracy. Historian Sohail Hashmi and others were detained under false charges of collaborating against the state. The intervention of JNU officials eventually secured their release.
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During the notorious Emergency period in India, a dramatic raid at Jawaharlal Nehru University by Delhi Police led to a mistaken arrest that highlights the era's pervasive paranoia. Among those taken into custody was the cook of renowned academic, Prof. ML Sondhi, under false accusations of involvement in a political plot.
Historian Sohail Hashmi, also detained that night, recounted the chaotic events to PTI. The police, armed and acting on erroneous intelligence, swept through JNU, arresting individuals indiscriminately, including students merely there for interviews.
The true nature of the arrests, based on unfounded conspiracy allegations, came to light through the intervention of JNU's administration. This marked a disturbing example of the widespread suppression during the Emergency, which sees its 50th anniversary this week.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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