Indira being mobbed by journalists after proclamation of emergency
After this incident, the students invited the veteran freedom fighter Jayprakash Narayan (popularly known as JP) to lead the movement. Although he was 71 at that time, JP could not resist the offer from students because he had also started his career as a student leader from America's Wisconsin state (where he completed his studies). And most importantly, he was also angry and dejected with the rampant corruption in the country.
Jay Prakash Narayan was a very close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and had actively participated in freedom struggle. Jawaharlal Nehru wanted him to join his cabinet but JP showed no interest. He preferred to offer him advices from outside .JP differed with Nehru on many issues but had great respect for him. JP knew Indira from close quarters since her childhood and was one of the first to congratulate her when she became the prime minister.
His differences with Indira started when he saw her getting arrogant and taking whimsical and unethical decisions. He thought that that the entire purpose of freedom struggle was getting negated.
While accepting the student union's offer of leading them in their movement, JP said, “I can no longer remain a silent spectator to misgovernment, corruption and the rest, whether in Patna, Delhi or elsewhere.It is not for this that I had fought for freedom.”
