Midnight Knock

A gripping docufiction that captures the human cost of the 1975 Emergency, Midnight Knock explores the muzzling of the press and the resilience of the marginalized. Through the journey of a Dalit journalist, it serves as a “poignant reminder” of the fragility of democracy and the enduring power of moral resistance against authoritarianism.

Midnight Knock is a powerful docufiction novel that chronicles the harrowing period of the 1975-1977 Indian Emergency. Blending five years of meticulous historical research with narrative storytelling, P.K. Sreenivasan explores the systemic erosion of democracy through the eyes of Kapilan, a Dalit journalist from a Kerala village working in the national capital.

The book moves beyond a simple political account, serving as an “ode to newsrooms of a bygone era.” It documents the muzzling of the free press, police brutality, and the “disappearance” of activists—most notably referencing the tragic Rajan Case. By weaving in actual court documents and victim journals, Sreenivasan creates a haunting archive of state-sponsored fear and the moral resistance of ordinary citizens who refused to surrender their conscience.