Where the Mind Has No Fear

A comparative analysis of the roles played by U.S. and India Legislatures, Judiciary and Media during times of Internal and External disturbance

Prelude to India’s State of Emergency in 1975

1971 election of PM Indira Gandhi challenged by her opponent Raj Narain of the Janata Party

On June 12, 1975 High Court of Allahabad finds PM Gandhi guilty of election fraud thus nullifying her election victory

State of Emergency

On June 26, 1975 President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, upon request by PM Gandhi, declares a State of Emergency under Article 352 of the Indian Constitution.

September 11th, 2001

Terrorists attack the World Trade Center and Pentagon killing over 3,000 Americans.

Legislative Actions India’s Parliament Passes the 38th Amendment by overwhelming majorities in both houses

The United States Congress passes the Authorization to Use Military force

The JudiciaryIndia’s Supreme Court sides with PM Gandhi and the Congress. Upholds restrictions placed upon Habeus Corpus petitions.

Ruling leads to the passage of the 42nd Amendment to the Indian Constitution by Parliament.

The case against alleged dirty bomber Jose Padilla; denial of Habeus Corpus

Journalisms Role during states of emergency

“While the media may not tell you what to think, it does tell you what to think about.” - Media critic Mark Hertsgaard

Where The Mind Is Without Fear by Rabindranath Tagore

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high

Where knowledge is free

Where the world has not been broken up into fragments

By narrow domestic walls

Where words come out from the depth of truth

Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection

Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way

Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit

Where the mind is led forward by thee

Into ever-widening thought and action

Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.