The Emergency deeply affected social life in Kerala. Even those who supported the Emergency strongly felt the absence of freedom. There was censorship not only of the newspapers but also limits on freedom of expression among the people, who were scared to meet and talk among themselves, scared to criticize either Mrs. Indira Gandhi or Mr. Karunakaran. Some heartless Congressmen found sadistic pleasure in getting leftists and their own personal enemies tortured by the police. Even officials were scared.
The Emergency was lifted on February 22, 1977. My attempts to find out about Rajan had slowed down by then. But the lifting of the Emergency made a lot of difference to social movements in Kerala. The cool breeze of freedom started sweeping through the land again. Those who had suffered torture and humiliation at the hands of the autocracy heaved a sigh of relief. There were celebrations and processions proclaiming liberation.
Political and constitutional changes made me active again. I consulted Advocate Ram Kumar and Mr. Viswanatha Menon on a future plan of action. Mr. Ram Kumar thought that I should approach the High Court with a habeas corpus petition. He was very particular that it should be the first writ after the Emergency was lifted. Without pondering much we approached Advocate Mr. Eeswara Iyer, one of the most eminent advocates of all time in Kerala. When we went to him, he behaved as if expecting us. Without wasting time we got into preparation of the writ. According to the rules, the affidavits of a number of witnesses also had to be submitted. I was entrusted with getting these affidavits.
The witnesses helpful to us were available only at the Engineering College and in surrounding regions. As per the instructions of Mr. Eeswara Iyer I went to Calicut and met Mr. Keluvettan, district committee secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). He was waiting for me, and did his best to help when I approached him with my anxieties. He sent me to the secretary of a cooperative society at Chathamangalam. I went with him to the Engineering College, and there found some ten students who were witnesses to Rajan’s arrest, and some others who were with Rajan at the Kakkayam camp. I contacted the principal, Mr. Vahabudeen, and he also agreed to send an affidavit to Mr. Eeswara Iyer expressing his willingness to be a witness in the case.
Then I contacted Mr. Chathamangalam Rajan, who was arrested along with Rajan and brutally tortured at the Kakkayam camp. I took him and the ten students to Advocate Kunjirama Poduval at Calicut, as per the instruction of Advocate Ram Kumar. He was waiting for us there. His first job was to record the statements of these eleven witnesses and prepare an affidavit. It was 10pm when we finished that work. After that all the documents had to be typed, and the witnesses sign them. It was early morning when we finished. I started for Ernakulam on the first train. Mr. Ram Kumar and Mr. Eeswara Iyer were worried until I reached them, because they knew that if Mr. Karunakaran or any police officer were aware that we were getting ready with the affidavits they would surely try to stop us by all means. Anyway, nothing happened. I handed over the affidavits to Mr. Eeswara Iyer.
