Indians have always resisted attempts to suppress democracy: Om Birla on Emergency
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday criticised the Congress on the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, stating that democracy is the cornerstone of the Indian Republic, and every time it has come under threat, the citizens have stood firm in its defense."Democracy is the foundation of our nation. Whenever attempts have been made to suppress it, the people of India have strongly resisted," said the Lok Sabha speaker at the inauguration of the Samvidhan Sahitya Vatika in Moradabad.advertisementModi led government marked June 25 as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' (Constitution Killing Day), observing the 50th anniversary of the Emergency imposed in 1975. Top ministers and BJP functionaries held events across the country to remember what they called the "darkest chapter in Indian democracy."
"India is the mother of democracy, the Constitution is our soul, and it is with its inspiration that India is moving towards becoming a developed nation," Birla wrote on X."In this journey of seven and a half decades since independence, democracy and constitution have kept our nation strong," he added.In a coordinated outreach, the BJP-led alliance used the occasion to highlight the excesses committed during the 21-month Emergency period declared by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, during which civil liberties were suspended, press freedom was curtailed, and thousands of opposition leaders and activists were jailed.advertisementUnion ministers, Chief Ministers of NDA-ruled states, and Members of Parliament participated in public events, marches, seminars, and social media campaigns under the banner of #SamvidhanHatyaDiwas, calling for the younger generation to be educated about the dangers of authoritarianism.Prime Minister Narendra Modi too termed the imposition of Emergency as one of the darkest chapters in India's democratic history.PM Modi said that the imposition of Emergency by the Congress not only violated the spirit of the constitution but also placed 'democracy under arrest'.He also said that no Indian would ever forget how the voice of Parliament was muzzled and attempts were made to control the courts during the period."On this day, the values enshrined in the Indian Constitution were set aside, fundamental rights were suspended, press freedom was extinguished and several political leaders, social workers, students and ordinary citizens were jailed. It was as if the Congress government placed democracy under arrest!" the Prime Minister wrote on X.Imposed by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the Emergency, lasting for nearly two years - from June 1975 to March 1977 - saw civil liberties being suspended, and a brutal crackdown on Opposition leaders and the freedom of the press.- EndsMust Watch
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