Prime Minister Narendra Modi raked up the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi era Emergency ahead of Monday’s first session of the 18th Lok Sabha. PM Modi called the 25 June 1975 Emergency a ‘black spot on the Constitution’ of India. This he said as the Opposition INDIA bloc, Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi showed a copy of the Indian Constitution to the Prime Minister.
On June 25, 2024 marks fifty years since Emergency was imposed by the first female Prime Minister of India – Indira Gandhi.
“Tomorrow is the 25th of June. For those dedicated to upholding the dignity of our Constitution and who believe in Bharat’s democratic traditions, the 25th of June is an unforgettable day. Tomorrow marks 50 years since a dark chapter was written into India’s democracy”, PM Modi remarked on Monday.
“The new generation of Bharat must never forget how the Constitution was completely disregarded, torn apart, and the country was turned into a prison, with democracy utterly suppressed.” PM Modi added.
“These 50 years since the Emergency remind us to protect our Constitution and democracy with pride. The countrymen must resolve that such a travesty will never be allowed to happen again. We commit ourselves to ensuring a vibrant democracy and fulfilling the common man’s dreams as outlined by the Indian Constitution”
Notably, this is not the first time the prime minister has condemned the Emergency. In 2023, on June 18, PM Modi, during 102nd episode of Mann Ki Baat, had said, “Lakhs of people opposed the Emergency with full might. Supporters of democracy were tortured so much during that time, that even today, it makes the mind tremble”.
Emergency 1975
The Emergency, spanning from 1975 to 1977, was a period in India marked by the suspension of civil liberties, censorship of the press, and widespread persecution of political opponents under the leadership of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
In a broadcast on All India Radio late on June 25, 1975, Indira Gandhi had announced the imposition of Emergency shortly after the Supreme Court stayed the Allahabad High Court’s verdict against her election.
Indira Gandhi had cited a “deep conspiracy” and initiated widespread arrests of opposition leaders.
Gandhi, who had won decisively in 1971 and led the liberation of Bangladesh, faced growing instability with protests and legal challenges.
The Gujarat Navnirman agitation, Jayaprakash Narayan’s movement, and a railway strike exacerbated tensions. Opposition rallied against her, culminating in mass arrests including JP, L K Advani, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Morarji Desai.
3.6 Crore Indians visited in a single day choosing us as India’s undisputed platform for General Election Results. Explore the latest updates here!
Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
More
Less
Published: 25 Jun 2024, 07:14 AM IST
