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A wave of popular agitations—demonstrations, student strikes and riot, agitations by government servants—commenced at about the same time Mrs. Gandhi was being sworn in as prime minister. These agitations often turned violent. A new feature was the bandhs that meant closure of a town, city, or entire state. Teachers and other middle class professionals such as doctors and engineers also now began to join the ranks of strikers and agitators demanding higher pay and dearness allowances to offset the sharp rise in prices. Jan Sangh and other parties also organized a fierce countrywide agitation demanding a total ban on cow-slaughter. However, the government stood firm against the demand. On 7 November, a mob of hundreds of thousands, led by naked sadhus, carrying swords, spears and trishuls (tridents), virtually tried to invade the Parliament House. They also surrounded Kamaraj’s house with the intent to assault him. A clash with the police occurred leading to the death of one police officer and six sadhus. Blaming the Home Minister, Gulzari Lal Nanda, for inept handling of the situation she demanded his resignation. The year 1966 also witnessed the beginning of the downslide of the parliament as an institution. There were constant disturbances and indiscipline in the parliament with some members of the opposition showing complete disregard for parliamentary decorum and niceties. Many a time the young prime minister was not extended the courtesy in keeping with her office. Mrs. Gandhi’s own position in the party had remained weak and insecure. On becoming the prime minister, she had not been able to form a cabinet of her own choice, having had to leave all important portfolios—Home, Defence, Finance, External Affairs, and Food—undisturbed. Kamaraj, the party president, and the Syndicate consistently tried to reassert the party organization’s position vis-a-vis the prime minister, and to restrict her freedom of action in framing and implementing policies. They also did not let her have much of a say in the party’s internal affairs or in the selection of candidates for the parliamentary elections. |
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