New Delhi, June 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday described Emergency as one of India’s “darkest periods” and attacked the Congress for trampling over Indian democracy, saying the nation was bound with chains and turned into a jail 40 years ago because of a “lust for power”.
Modi utilised the 40th anniversary of Emergency to target the then Indira Gandhi-led Congress government and said a vibrant liberal democracy is the key to progress and that everything should be done to strengthen democratic ideals and ethos. “We mark 40 years of one of India’s darkest periods — the Emergency — when the then political leadership trampled over our democracy,” he tweeted.
Emergency was declared on June 25, 1975, and continued till March 21, 1977. The period was characterised by a brutal suppression of civil liberties and arrest of key political leaders who opposed Gandhi’s action.
“A vibrant liberal democracy is the key to progress. Let us do everything possible to further strengthen our democratic ideals and ethos,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister recalled that lakhs of people had resisted the Emergency declared by Indira Gandhi.
“We are very proud of the lakhs of people who resisted the Emergency and whose efforts ensured that our democratic fabric is preserved,” he said.
“Inspired by the call of JP, several men and women across India selflessly immersed themselves in the movement to safeguard our democracy,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister said the Emergency Day observance brought back many memories and youngsters had learnt a lot during the anti-Emergency movement.
“Personally, the Emergency brings back many memories. As youngsters, we learnt a lot during the anti-Emergency movement. Emergency was a great opportunity to work with a wide spectrum of leaders and organisations fighting for the same goal — return of democracy,” he said. PTI