Human Dignity in Time of State Oppression: Reading the Emergency in Rohinton’s Mistry’s A Fine Balance

Abstract

Rohinton Mistry shows a realistic picture of the Emergency. The Emergency period is one of the most controversial and dark times in India’s history since independence. The state of Emergency was declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It lasted for 21 months, from 1975 to 1977.The government said it was declared because of ‘internal disturbances’ in the country. The Emergency gave the Prime Minister complete power. Elections were suspended. People’s civil rights and freedoms were taken away. The press was censored. Many human rights were violated. One example was a forced sterilization campaign. A new law called MISA allowed anyone to be jailed without a trial. There were many deaths in police custody. Many writers of that time felt they had to respond. They used their writing to express their frustration and sorrow. In any political upheaval like this, the rich, elite sections of society do not suffer much. The poorer sections suffer the most from its harmful effects. They are the victims of an unjust social order. Mistry reveals its horror and its impact. The characters—Om, Ishvar, Dina, and Maneck—are all victims of this era. Some are directly harmed, while others suffer indirectly. It is important to remember that the political changes during the Emergency created havoc in India’s social and cultural fabric. In any political upheaval like this, the rich, elite sections of society do not suffer much. The poorer sections suffer the most from its harmful effects. They are the victims of an unjust social order. This order is heavily tilted in favour of the rich. Lower class and caste people always find themselves at the receiving end of such political turmoil.

Keywords: Emergency, Horror, Social Order, Caste, State Oppression, Human Dignity, Victims