Modi As Sikh To Priest: Book Reveals How PM Used Different Disguises During Emergency

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The details of how Narendra Modi escaped the authorities have been revealed in a book released by Home Minister Amit Shah, 'The Emergency Diaries: Years that Forged a Leader'
Did you know that Narendra Modi, during the Emergency days, always stayed in a house with two or more exit routes, and strategised till the last detail while organising clandestine meetings? Or that he disguised himself as a Sikh, a Swamiji, as an incense stick vendor, and also a Pathan?
Such details have been revealed in a book released by Home Minister Amit Shah, 'The Emergency Diaries: Years that Forged a Leader', by the Bluekraft Digital Foundation.
The book is based on anecdotes from people who worked closely with him during the times of the Emergency, or interacted with him on various occasions.
'The Emergency Diaries' chronicles my journey during the Emergency years. It brought back many memories from that time. 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…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2025
They reveal that during the Emergency days, Modi would only stay in houses with two or more exit routes. Also, Modi carefully selected the houses where meetings would be held. The choice of these houses was made with great discretion. When choosing these houses, Modi ensured that in the event of a police raid, a clear escape strategy was in place.
These meetings were coined as 'Chandan ka Karyakram' by Modi, the book reveals. Like, in one instance, Modi selected a house with four doors, so even if the police come through one or two doors, he and others could easily escape. Modi also directed to scatter the shoes and slippers in a disorganized manner outside the house where a meeting takes place. He said that since the shoes and slippers were arranged so neatly outside, anyone could easily infer that a Sangh meeting was happening, the book reveals.
When the Emergency was imposed, I was a young RSS Pracharak. The anti-Emergency movement was a learning experience for me. It reaffirmed the vitality of preserving our democratic framework. At the same time, I got to learn so much from people across the political spectrum. I am… https://t.co/nLY4Vb30Pu — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2025
Modi would travel in different disguises, portraying himself as a priest and in various other attire. One day, he came to the house of a Sangh worker in the guise of a Swamiji. He went so far as to meet fellow activists inside the jail in the guise of Swamiji, the book says. To avoid arrest during the Emergency days, Modi frequently adopted the disguise of Sardarji to continue his activities. His Sardarji disguise was so convincing that even close acquaintances failed to recognise him. Modi traveled across the country in various disguises —sometimes as an incense stick vendor, other times as a Pathan. His transformations were so convincing that even those who knew him couldn't recognise him, the book says.
The book cites an anecdote when Modi, dressed in Sikh attire, hired an auto-rickshaw. 'To his surprise, he realised that the auto-rickshaw driver was also a tall and attractive Sardarji. Upon seeing a Sikh passenger, the auto-rickshaw driver began an enthusiastic conversation in Punjabi. At this point, there was a danger that the disguise might be exposed, revealing that Modi was not a genuine Sardarji but merely dressed as one. However, Modi continued to handle the situation with self-assurance, responding to the auto-rickshaw driver and apologising for his weak Punjabi. Modi told the driver, 'I was born in Gujarat and have grown up here.' With his self-confidence and quick thinking, Modi saved himself that day," the book says.
Narendra Modi's colleagues abroad sent photocopies of 'Satyavani' and other newspapers published internationally that featured articles opposing the #DarkDaysOfEmergency. He would ensure copies of those materials were prepared and then deliver them to the jails. Additionally,… pic.twitter.com/vz1aSblFCj — Modi Archive (@modiarchive) June 25, 2024
The book says that Modi's name became prominent in police dossiers and posed a significant challenge for him to evade arrest.
Modi also believed that despite the closure of Sangh shakhas, RSS workers should maintain contact with the people and families associated with the organization.
During the Emergency in 1975, when all newspapers were banned and there was no other source of news, the Panchjanya magazine would arrive weekly. RSS workers used to hide it and bring the copies to the office. In those days, there were restrictions imposed on the shakhas of the Sangh. Narendra Modi guided on how to maintain contact even in such circumstances and ensure that the magazine reached all the workers and activists, the book says.
In collaboration with senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leaders like Nath Zagda and Vasant Gajendragadkar, Modi found innovative ways to disseminate information to other states. Recognising the risks associated with using the postal system, he suggested utilizing the railway network instead, the book says.
'He believed that approach would make it easier to send anti-Emergency literature to other states while minimizing the risk of getting caught. He loaded materials related to the Constitution and the Congress government's excesses onto trains departing from Gujarat and successfully disseminated such literature to various parts of the country with a considerably lower risk of detection. Ahmedabad was well connected by railway to Bihar, Kolkata, Madras, and Uttar Pradesh. Therefore, he suggested that activists use the railway for sending messages, pamphlets, and booklets. If sent through the postal system, there was a fear of getting caught during the Emergency days," the book says.
'सरदार" के वेश से लेकर 'बटुक भाई" बनने तक, नरेंद्र मोदी के आपातकाल का सफ़र।सुनिए #Emergency के कुछ अनसुने किस्से आज की #ModiStory में। https://t.co/EdWZ1iScoN @themodistory pic.twitter.com/CJQJM2tDeI
— Modi Story (@themodistory) June 25, 2022
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Modi rose to the occasion. He not only ensured the regular publication of anti- Emergency literature but also took on the perilous responsibility of distributing it throughout Gujarat. Modi suggested that they place the literature in stores such as barbershops so that people coming there could read it. He thought people were more likely to read it in such places than at home, the book mentions.
Modi also sought help from businesspersons and affluent individuals to discreetly arrange for the distribution of provisions to the families of the jailed activists. 'This helped maintain hope for those in jail. Modi kept track of the families of every leader and activist in jail, inquiring about the number of children and whether they had enough to eat," the book says.
About the Author
Aman Sharma
Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Minister's Office....Read More
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tags :
emergency indira gandhi Narendra Modi news18 specials Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
June 25, 2025, 16:03 IST
News india Modi As Sikh To Priest: Book Reveals How PM Used Different Disguises During Emergency