आधी रात कोई दस्तक दे रहा है

by K.R. Malkani

As the author himself says, this is not a jail diary. Nor is it an account of the Emergency. It is rather a ‘side light’ on the Emergency. Malkani writes about his experience of it—of what he, as a detenu, ‘saw, heard, thought and felt’ in prison. He spent the twenty-one months in three prisons— Hissar, Rohtak and Tihar—where he met a variety of people, from criminals to top-notch politicians. This is a very human document about them—sometimes amusing, sometimes sad, sometimes traumatic.
The many hours of solitude in prison gave the author the opportunity to deeply analyse the Hindu-Muslim problem, towards which he has offered new and hopeful insights.
The book is sensitively written, full of intimate anecdotes, not without political insight, and makes very interesting reading. It offers not only a personal viewpoint, but a glimpse into the lives of all detenus.

152 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Sweta · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Midnight Knock" by R K Malkani is not a typical jail diary or a comprehensive account of the Emergency. Instead, it is a personal narrative that sheds light on Malkani's experiences during the Emergency period in India. The author spent 21 months in three different prisons and encountered a range of people, from criminals to high-profile politicians. Through his observations and reflections, Malkani provides a unique perspective on the socio-political climate of the time.

It's a mix of amusing, sad, and even traumatic anecdotes that offer an intimate glimpse into the lives of all detenus. The author's solitude in prison gave him ample time for self-reflection, which led him to offer fresh insights on the Hindu-Muslim problem.

The book is sensitively written and does not shy away from providing political insight. Malkani's account is full of intimate anecdotes and makes for an engaging read.