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PM Modi told his cabinet colleagues that today’s generation must understand the perils of the Emergency
Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Image: PTI file)
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday passed a resolution to condemn the imposition of Emergency in 1975 by then prime minister Indira Gandhi. The resolution was followed by two minutes of silence in memory of those whose constitutionally guaranteed democratic rights were taken away and who were then subjected to unimaginable horrors, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said at a cabinet briefing.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi told his cabinet colleagues that today’s generation must understand the perils of the Emergency, and that it is our duty to ensure a strong and thriving democracy, according to government sources.
“The year 2025 marks 50 years of Samvidhan Hatya Diwas, an unforgettable chapter in history of India where the constitution was subverted, the republic and democratic spirit of India was attacked, federalism was undermined, and fundamental rights, human liberty and dignity were suspended. The Union Cabinet reaffirmed that the people of India continue to repose unflinching faith in the Indian constitution and the resilience of the country’s democratic ethos. It is as important for the young as it is for the old to draw inspiration from those who resisted dictatorial tendencies and stood firm to defend our constitution,” Vaishnaw said while reading out the cabinet resolution.
In a post on X on the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, PM Modi recalled the suppression of civil liberties, including the arrest of opposition leaders and activists besides the censorship on media, and said it was as if the then Congress government had put democracy under arrest.
A book chronicling PM Modi’s role in the Emergency was also released today. PM Modi said the Emergency period was a learning experience for him and reaffirmed the vitality of preserving the democratic framework.
‘The Emergency Diaries – Years that Forged a Leader’, which highlights Modi’s fight for the “the ideals of democracy”, is published by BlueKraft.
Modi said the book chronicles his journey during the Emergency years. It brought back many memories from that time, he said.
He said on X, “I call upon all those who remember those dark days of the Emergency or those whose families suffered during that time to share their experiences on social media. It will create awareness among the youth of the shameful time from 1975 to 1977.” The prime minister recalled that he was a young RSS pracharak during the period.
Last year, the central government declared June 25 as “Samvidhan Hatya Diwas”.
The Emergency in India lasted for 21 months, from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977, and this June 25 marks the 50th anniversary of its imposition.
On June 25, 1975, Indira Gandhi announced the imposition of the Emergency in a broadcast on All India Radio, shortly after the Supreme Court granted a conditional stay to an Allahabad High Court verdict declaring her election to the Lok Sabha null and void. It was lifted on March 21, 1977.
Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter –twitter.com/saurabhkverma19
Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter –twitter.com/saurabhkverma19
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