Amit Shah Criticizes Indira Gandhi’s Policies on Binaca Geetmala

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

1. Amit Shah invoked the iconic Binaca Geetmala radio program to criticize Indira Gandhi’s government during the Emergency.
2. He recalled how Kishore Kumar’s fallout with Gandhi led to the banning of his songs.
3. For 19 months, only Lata Mangeshkar’s version of Kishore Kumar’s songs were played.
4. Shah argued that such actions were a violation of democratic freedoms and led to Congress’ downfall.
5. He also discussed the constitutional amendments made by Congress and BJP during their respective tenures.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

The Disruption of Binaca Geetmala During the Emergency

In a significant critique of the Congress-led government during the Emergency (1975-77), Union Home Minister Amit Shah discussed how the popular radio program, Binaca Geetmala, was disrupted. Shah reflected on his personal experience of listening to the program, which suddenly went off air due to the clash between Bollywood singer Kishore Kumar and then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. According to Shah, the dispute led to Gandhi imposing a ban on Kumar’s songs. As a result, for a period of 19 months, the songs sung by both Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar were aired with only Lata Mangeshkar’s voice.

Kishore Kumar and Indira Gandhi’s Fallout

Shah elaborated on the conflict between Kishore Kumar and Indira Gandhi, saying the singer’s refusal to support her government during the 1971 elections triggered the ban. The government’s move severely impacted Kumar’s popularity and his participation in radio broadcasts, which included the iconic Binaca Geetmala. Shah mentioned how this event shaped public sentiment, as many people were disappointed by the government’s heavy-handed tactics.

Impact on Democracy During the Emergency

Shah criticized the draconian measures implemented by Indira Gandhi’s government during the Emergency, citing how censorship, including the halt on Binaca Geetmala, led to public dissatisfaction. The period of Emergency was a time of widespread suppression of civil liberties, including the imposition of stringent regulations on the press and cultural activities. Shah linked these restrictions to Congress’ loss of political power after the 1977 elections, saying that citizens had punished them for suppressing their freedoms.

Constitutional Amendments by Congress and BJP

Shah also discussed the differences between the constitutional amendments passed under Congress leadership and those made by the BJP. While Congress made 77 amendments in 55 years, he said, the BJP introduced only 22 in 16 years, focusing on reforms that empowered citizens rather than restricting their freedoms. He emphasized that Congress altered constitutional provisions to serve political motives, whereas the BJP has worked towards better governance and strengthening democratic frameworks.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

1. Amit Shah referenced Binaca Geetmala to highlight censorship during the Emergency.
2. Kishore Kumar’s songs were banned following a fallout with Indira Gandhi.
3. The Emergency saw severe restrictions on democratic and cultural freedoms.
4. Shah compared the constitutional amendments made by Congress and the BJP.
5. He argued that Congress used constitutional changes for political advantage, while the BJP worked to enhance citizen empowerment.

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