LUCKNOW, July 24 -- This year marks 50 years of Emergency that was set in motion by the then Indira Gandhi government on June 25, 1975, and was withdrawn on March 21, 1977. Its imposition gave Indira Gandhi to rule by decree and entailed curbing of civil-liberties to a great extent.

Thousands--largely politicians and students--were sent to jail across the country including Uttar Pradesh during the Emergency. Senior Samajwadi Party leader Rajendra Chaudhary was one such person. He recollects his activities and life in those times.

Born on January 2, 1947, Chaudhary, now 78, is one of the few leaders alive today who have worked closely with Jayaprakash Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia and Mulayam Singh Yadav. He not just went to jail but later ...