Maharashtra: Congress, NCP oppose pension to Emergency-era prisoners

The Congress and the NCP have come out strongly against the Maharashtra government's decision to give pension to people who were imprisoned during the Emergency.

Congress state president Ashok Chavan said that the government was making an attempt to elevate people who were imprisoned during Emergency to the status of freedom fighters. "They are belittling the sacrifice made by freedom fighters and are trying to bring Emergency-time prisoners on par with freedom fighters," stated Chavan.

Maharashtra cabinet recently took a decision to pay pensions of Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 to those who were imprisoned during the Emergency. Rs 10,000 will be paid to those who were imprisoned for more than a month and Rs 5,000 will be paid to those who were imprisoned for less than a month.

Former Rajya Sabha MP Dr Bhalchandra Mungekar criticised the decision as it would essentially benefit RSS workers.

RSS had been banned, and hundreds of its workers were imprisoned during the Emergency.

Chavan further pointed out that the then RSS chief Balasaheb Deoras had tendered an apology when he was in prison. Deoras had also agreed to cooperate with the government so that the ban on RSS could be lifted, said Chavan.

"RSS made no contribution to the freedom struggle. So they are now treating opposition to Emergency as another freedom struggle when the fact clearly states that their own chief had apologised during the Emergency. So how can they claim the right to pension?" said a Congress leader. 

Apart from Congress, the NCP, too, has lashed out at the government over the decision of pension. 

NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik wondered whether the gangsters jailed during the Emergency would be eligible for the pension. 

He also asked Shiv Sena how the party could support such a decision when Sena founder late Balasaheb Thackeray had openly supported Emergency. "Shiv Sena must clarify its stand on this issue," said Malik. 

He also said that the decision was a desperate attempt by the BJP and the RSS to show that they, too, had done something for the nation.