New Delhi: Former justice of Supreme Court Markandey Katju, known for his distinctive take on the contemporary issues, has said that the discontinuation of Rajiv and Indira Gandhi stamps is a welcome move.
Former chairman of Press Council of India (PCI) welcomed the move of the present NDA government and has also raised questions regarding the credentials of both former Prime Ministers of India.
Katju in his blog was critical of Indira Gandhi for her decision to impose ‘Emergency' in 1975 and hold Rajiv Gandhi responsible for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
His comments are likely to invite wrath of Congress that has called NDA govt's move as ‘vendetta politics'.
Here is the complete text of Justice Katju's blog:
While I am no admirer of the BJP government, I see nothing wrong in its decision to discontinue the postage stamps bearing the pictures of Indira Gandhi and Rajeev Gandhi.
Read Also: Govt defends decision to discontinue stamps on Indira, Rajiv Gandhi
Indira Gandhi was a power crazy woman who was willing to go to any extent to hold on to power. She imposed a fake ' Emergency ' in 1975 because the Allahabad High Court had held her guilty of corrupt election practice.
This fake ' Emergency ' resulted in great hardship to the Indian people. Tens of thousands who were critical of her were imprisoned on false charges, and many killed.
Rajeev Gandhi got the progressive and humanitarian Shahbano decision ( that a Muslim husband who divorces his wife must give her maintenance ) legislatively annulled. He sent the Indian army to Sri Lanka for no good reason, which resulted in the death of several thousands of our soldiers. He was responsible for massacre of Sikhs in 1984
So why should we honour such people?
