Five decades after the Emergency, difficult questions, unheeded warnings

A writer argues that while the restrictions on media in India today are not as severe as during Indira Gandhi's Emergency, they still pose a threat to democratic values. The writer criticizes the government for using "national security" as a justification for censorship and for stifling dissent through media management tactics reminiscent of past authoritarian regimes. They also highlight concerns about the lack of internal debate within the ruling party and the erosion of independence and probity in constitutional bodies. The writer concludes that India's current political climate resembles the dangers of Indira Gandhi's Emergency, urging a return to ethical democratic practices.