Amit Shah slams Congress on 50 years of Emergency, Shubhanshu Shukla's historic space mission and more
Union Home Minister Amit Shah released 'The Emergency Diaries', a book on PM Modi's role during Emergency years and slammed the Congress, stating the Emergency was imposed to protect the Gandhi family, not national security. He highlighted how innocents were jailed, judiciary was interfered with, and opposition leaders united behind Jai Prakash Narayan. The government has decided to observe June 25 as 'Constitution Murder Day'.
And Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla scripted history as he soared into space alongside three astronauts from three different nations, embarking on a 14-day mission to the International Space Station.
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The Print
30 minutes ago
- The Print
‘Dressed as a sadhu, a Sardar, a hippie…': Shah on Modi's 19 months underground during Emergency
Shah said the book also captures the role of the RSS, the Jan Sangh, and the difficulties faced during Satyagraha and public mobilisation during that period. Speaking at the launch of The Emergency Diaries–Years that Forged a Leader, Shah said: 'This book contains the full story… of how Narendra Modi, at the age of 24–25, led the struggle in Gujarat. He went underground for 19 months during Emergency, which was imposed under Indira Gandhi's dictatorship. He helped MISA detainees, distributed underground newspapers at markets, intersections, among students and women.' New Delhi: He dressed as a sadhu, a Sardar, a hippie, an incense stick seller, even a newspaper vendor to stay underground. That's how Union Home Minister Amit Shah Tuesday described Narendra Modi's time during Emergency, saying the current Prime Minister, then a 25-year-old RSS pracharak, spent 19 months underground helping detainees and distributing banned publications. 'Along with this, the book describes the role of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Jan Sangh, the struggle of the Lok Sangharsh Samiti, the challenges of Satyagraha and public awakening. Narendra Modiji, during that time, while underground, worked as a sadhu, sometimes a Sardar, sometimes a hippie, sometimes an agarbatti seller, or a newspaper delivery vendor—he played all these roles,' he said. He added: 'And today, see how destiny delivers justice. The same young man who, at the age of 25, opposed the dictatorial mindset of Congress Prime Minister Indira Gandhi—going door to door, village to village, city to city—is today the person who, in 2014, uprooted the very dynastic politics for which Emergency was imposed.' Shah appealed to youth to read the book: 'I especially appeal to the youth of this country—read this book at least once. A young man of your own age, in his early years, resisted dictatorship. That same young man is today's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is strengthening the roots of democracy in this country.' The book, divided into five chapters, explores censorship of the press during the Emergency, the government's use of state power, the resistance put up by the RSS and Jan Sangh, personal stories of those imprisoned or targeted, and the larger democratic transition from authoritarianism to mass participation. Modi's own experience as a young underground organiser is presented as a key thread through this narrative. Shah said Prime Minister Modi had decided 25 June should be commemorated as Constitution Betrayal Day, calling the Emergency 'an attack on the nation's soul'. The BJP marks this day each year as a black chapter in India's democratic history. Shah said the phrase 'Constitution Betrayal' was debated internally as it seemed harsh, but they concluded that nothing less could describe how censorship, mass arrests, and suppression unfolded in 1975. The Union Minister recounted the series of events leading up to the Emergency, including the Allahabad High Court verdict invalidating Indira Gandhi's election and the Congress loss in Gujarat, saying these political shocks prompted the clampdown. He argued that the JP movement gave voice to rising discontent and turned slogans like 'Indira is India' into 'Indira against India'. Listing the Emergency's excesses, Shah said censorship extended to artists and institutions. 'To the youth sitting here, I want to ask—have you ever listened to a duet song? In it, both the male and female voices—can they be of the same singer? That's what happened during Emergency. Kishore Kumar's voice was banned. Manoj Kumar's films were banned. Dev Anand was barred from Doordarshan. The film Aandhi and Kissa Kursi Ka were also banned. Friends, after murdering the Constitution, the Indian Constitution was silenced.' He also highlighted judicial interference, where judges critical of the government were sidelined, and three senior judges were superseded. He referred to the Shah Commission's findings, saying they documented how forced sterilisation, mass detentions, and demolitions created a climate of fear 'with no parallel in the world'. Shah contrasted that period with what he called the current ethos of governance under Modi. He said while Emergency-era politics placed individual and dynastic interests above the nation, the Modi era had ushered in a mindset of 'India First'. He said India was now on a path to becoming a global leader by 2047—a transformation rooted in the sacrifices made by those who resisted Emergency rule. Calling for collective memory and vigilance, he urged that India's youth be educated about the Emergency so that such a chapter is never repeated. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: Emergency showed extent of executive power. 50 years on, it's still embedded in Constitution
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
CM urges Centre to roll back fare hike; passengers flag concerns
Chennai: Calling Indian Railways "an integral part" of daily life for the poor and middle class, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday urged the Union govt not to hike passenger fares or reduce general class coaches. "The Indian Railway isn't just a service – it's family," Stalin said in a post on X. "To increase the number of AC coaches, don't cut down general class coaches. Don't raise fares." He added that the hike, set to take effect from July, already dampened public mood and would worsen the burden on households already struggling with rising prices and fuel costs. Passenger associations also voiced concern the same day, warning that reducing affordable travel options would drive more people to unsafe or overcrowded modes of transport. AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami also opposed the Centre's proposed railway fare hike, calling it unacceptable and demanding its immediate withdrawal. However, he criticised CM Stalin's stance as hypocritical, pointing out that the DMK-led Tamil Nadu govt already burdened middle-class families with multiple tax and tariff hikes. T Sadagopan, a commuter rights activist from Pattabiram, said demand far exceeds supply. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 월 2만원으로 아이들의 한끼 선물하기 굿네이버스 더 알아보기 Undo "The demand for trains is very high, but they haven't increased the number of trains. It's okay to raise fares if services improve," he said. He pointed out that many travellers are forced to book last-minute tickets at higher tatkal or premium tatkal rates and, failing that, turn to costly road transport. However, some felt the hike was minor and justified. "It was revised only five years ago. The increase is very minimum," said K Baskar of the Railway Passengers' Welfare Association. "Even Chennai–Madurai may not be affected, as the proposal only covers routes above 500 km at one paisa per km." You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Emergency's 50th anniversary sparks political face-off in Raj
1 2 Jaipur/Jhunjhunu/Jodhpur: The 50th anniversary of the Emergency sparked intense political debates across Rajasthan, with ruling BJP and opposition Congress trading sharp accusations over the historical event and ongoing development projects Wednesday. Chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, addressing the Democracy Fighter Honour Ceremony at Maheshwari Public School in Jaipur, termed the Emergency a "dark stain on our democratic history." Sharma accused the Congress of harming national interests through "appeasement, nepotism and corrupt politics in its lust for power." Deputy chief minister Diya Kumari, speaking at BJP's 'Sacrifice Day' event in Sikar, shared a personal connection to the period, revealing that her father, late Brig Bhawani Singh, a Mahavir Chakra awardee, was imprisoned during the Emergency. Former CM Ashok Gehlot, however, defended the Emergency, stating it "was the need of the time." Speaking in Jodhpur, Gehlot reminded that Congress had faced consequences of imposing Emergency but subsequently won the general elections with a significant majority under Indira Gandhi's leadership. Gehlot dismissed BJP's attempts to leverage the Emergency issue for political gain. PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra added another dimension to the debate, claiming that RSS man Balasaheb had actually supported the Emergency, and pointed out that Kumari's father had contested Lok Sabha elections on a Congress ticket. The political discourse extended beyond the Emergency, with Dotasra alleging an "undeclared emergency" under the current Modi govt. He also questioned the BJP govt's progress on various infrastructure projects, including the Fatehpur Road bypass and Nawalgarh Road railway bridge. On the other hand, Deputy CM Kumari highlighted developments in Jhunjhunu, including the Shekhawati Havelis, Khatu Shyamji Corridor and Jhunjhunu War Museum projects, with the central govt allocating Rs 87 crore for the Khatu Shyamji project. Congress, however, accused the BJP of taking credit for initiatives started during their previous tenure at the govt. The day saw multiple events across the state, including a seminar titled "The Dark Chapter of Indian Democracy - Constitution Murder Day - 2025" at the Constitution Club, marking five decades since the Emergency's imposition.
