Emergency Detainees Honoured On 50th Anniversary
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Nagpur: On the 50th anniversary of one of India's darkest political chapters, the Emergency of 1975, the state govt, along with the district administration, felicitated those who chose imprisonment over silence.
At the ceremony held at the Zilla Niyojan Bhavan on Wednesday, hundreds of former prisoners, now in their 70s, 80s, and even 90s, gathered for a moment that was long overdue, holding hands of their young family members who were not even born at the time of the Emergency.
The honour included certificates of appreciation in recognition of their resistance against the suppression of democratic freedoms during the 21-month Emergency.
Chief minister
Devendra Fadnavis
, who was in the state capital for a similar function for emergency detainees, sent a congratulatory message that was read aloud by tehsildar Santosh Khande. "Those who chose to go to jail during the Emergency saved India's democracy," Fadnavis said in his message, adding, "Their defiance against the dictatorship protected the spirit of free expression and constitutional values. On Samvidhan Hatya Diwas, we reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding democracy.
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Veterans like Bindumadhav alias Banduji Dev, Umabai Pimpalkar, Devendra Vaidya and Sandhyatai Pandit were among those present. "We faced humiliation back then, but today's honour restores that dignity. This ceremony is not just for us; it's for the next generation to remember what was fought for," Dev said.
A photo exhibition depicting the struggle during the Emergency was inaugurated by the veterans. Rare photographs, archival material, and personal stories of political prisoners like Shripad Risaldar, Jayant Puranik, Pushpatai Totade and others were on display.
District collector Vipin Itankar, Zilla Parishad CEO Vinayak Mahamuni, additional commissioner Tejusingh Pawar and other senior officials presented the certificates on behalf of the state.
A documentary film based on exclusive interviews with former detainees was also unveiled, offering an emotional lens into the lives impacted by the Emergency's clampdown on civil liberties. The event concluded with heartfelt acknowledgements from district information officer Vinod Rapatwar. The programme was hosted and coordinated by tehsildars Snehlata Medhe Patil and Shraddha Bagrao.
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