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Time of India
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Swamiji' in jail: Book chronicles PM Modi's daring underground role during Emergency
NEW DELHI: A new book sheds light on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's covert operations during the 1975-77 Emergency, including a daring visit to a jail in Bhavnagar disguised as a 'swamiji' to meet incarcerated activists. Titled 'The Emergency Diaries – Years that Forged a Leader' and published by BlueKraft, the book chronicles Modi's underground work as a young RSS pracharak. Evading detection under a government ban on the RSS, Modi adopted various disguises—most frequently a convincing Sikh identity—and helped run an anti-Emergency campaign through secret meetings, family support drives, and literature distribution. 'He not only ensured the regular publication of anti-Emergency literature but also took on the perilous responsibility of distributing it throughout Gujarat,' the book notes. One of the standout incidents comes from journalist Vishnu Pandya, who recalls that in September 1976, Modi entered Bhavnagar jail disguised as a spiritual leader. 'He stayed with us for about an hour. We discussed the jail administration, the families of prisoners, and how to promote anti-Emergency literature further. No one suspected it was Modi,' Pandya said. PM Modi also proposed innovative tactics — such as hiding pamphlets in barber shops and delivering documents via trains instead of the postal system — to reduce the risk of arrest. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 3BHK Transformation Possible for ₹4.5 Lakh? HomeLane Get Quote Undo Longtime RSS member Nagar Bhai Chavda recalled that Modi used code words like 'Chandan ka Karyakram' for meetings and only stayed in houses with multiple exit routes in case of police raids. The book highlights his collaboration with senior RSS leaders Nath Zagda and Vasant Gajendragadkar, and how he advised volunteers to keep community contact alive despite the ban on RSS shakhas. Sharing his reflections on social media, PM Modi wrote: 'The Emergency Diaries brought back many memories. I urge all those who remember or whose families suffered during the Emergency to share their stories online to create awareness among the youth of those dark days.' (With PTI inputs)
NDTV
11 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
"I Was Young RSS Pracharak": PM Introduces Book On His Emergency Journey
New Delhi: As the country marked 50 years of Emergency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced a book that chronicles his experience during those years and how they shaped his journey as a leader. 'The Emergency Diaries', presented by BlueKraft Digital Foundation, relies on first-person accounts of associates who worked with him back then, and other archival material. "'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 media. It will create awareness among the youth of the shameful time from 1975 to 1977," the Prime Minister posted on X. '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 "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 glad that BlueKraft Digital Foundation has compiled some of those experiences in the form of a book, whose foreword has been penned by Shri HD Deve Gowda Ji, himself a stalwart of the anti-Emergency movement," he said. 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… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2025 BlueKraft Digital Foundation said the book is a first of its kind and "creates new scholarship on the formative years of a young man who would give it his all in the fight against tyranny". "Emergency Diaries - paints a vivid picture of Narendra Modi fighting for the ideals of democracy and how he has worked all his life to preserve and promote it. This book is a tribute to the grit and resolve of those who refused to be silenced, and it offers a rare glimpse into the early trials that forged one of the most transformative leaders of our time," he said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will launch the book this evening. In a separate post, the Prime Minister said the country marks the anniversary of the Emergency as Samvidhan Hatya Divas. "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 in power at that time placed democracy under arrest," he said. "No Indian will ever forget the manner in which the spirit of our Constitution was violated, the voice of Parliament muzzled and attempts were made to control the courts. The 42nd Amendment is a prime example of their shenanigans. The poor, marginalised and downtrodden were particularly targeted, including their dignity insulted." Today marks fifty years since one of the darkest chapters in India's democratic history, the imposition of the Emergency. The people of India mark this day as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas. On this day, the values enshrined in the Indian Constitution were set aside, fundamental rights… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2025 The Prime Minister said the country salutes every person who stood firm in the fight against the Emergency. "These were the people from all over India, from all walks of life, from diverse ideologies who worked closely with each other with one aim: to protect India's democratic fabric and to preserve the ideals for which our freedom fighters devoted their lives. It was their collective struggle that ensured that the then Congress Government had to restore democracy and call for fresh elections, which they badly lost," the Prime Minister said. "We also reiterate our commitment to strengthening the principles in our Constitution and working together to realise our vision of a Viksit Bharat. May we scale new heights of progress and fulfil the dreams of the poor and downtrodden," he said. On June 25 1975, the Indira Gandhi government imposed a nationwide Emergency. The government cited threats to national security, an economy in a shambles due to the global oil crisis and pointed to how strikes had paralysed production. The declaration of the state of Emergency suspended fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. The right to challenge this in court was also suspended. The 21-month Emergency is a landmark event that altered the course of Indian politics. In the 1979 elections, Indira Gandhi was voted out and the Janata Party coalition came to power.
India Gazette
12 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Anti-emergency movement reaffirmed vitality of democracy: PM Modi on Samvidhan Hatya Diwas
New Delhi [India], June 25 (ANI): The BlueKraft Digital Foundation has published a new book titled 'The Emergency Diaries - Years that Forged a Leader,' which explores the significant role played by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the anti-Emergency movement in India. The book is based on first-person anecdotes from associates who worked with Modi during that time and uses archival material to provide a unique perspective on his formative years. The book delves into PM Modi's experiences as a young RSS Pracharak during the Emergency, highlighting his contributions to the movement and his commitment to preserving democracy. With the book launch, the Prime Minister also urged the families who suffered through the 1975 emergency, to share their experience on social media to create awareness among the young people. '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,' PM Modi wrote in a post on X. The book features a special foreword written by former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, a key figure in the anti-Emergency movement. Urging the families to share their experiences in 1975, the PM wrote in another post, ''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 media. It will create awareness among the youth of the shameful time from 1975 to 1977.' Union Home Minister Amit Shah will launch the book, marking an important milestone in documenting India's democratic history. 'The Emergency Diaries' offers insights into the early trials that shaped Modi's leadership and his dedication to democracy, providing a rare glimpse into his transformative years. 'Based on first-person anecdotes from associates who worked with young Modi, and using other archival material, the book is a first of its kind that creates new scholarship on the formative years of a young man who would give it his all in the fight against tyranny. Emergency Diaries - paints a vivid picture of Narendra Modi fighting for the ideals of democracy and how he has worked all his life to preserve and promote it,' the publisher said about the book in a post on X. The book is a tribute to the grit and resolve of those who fought against the Emergency, refusing to be silenced and working tirelessly to preserve India's democratic framework. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the imposition of an Emergency, which was enacted by former PM Indira Gandhi at midnight on June 25, 1975. The emergency lasted for 21 months until March 21, 1977. Just 13 days before the Emergency, the Allahabad High Court nullified the election of Indira Gandhi from her Rae Bareli constituency. Subsequently, Emergency proclamations were issued under Article 352, citing 'internal unrest.' Justice Jagmohanlal Sinha of the Allahabad High Court found Prime Minister Indira Gandhi guilty under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and disqualified her from holding any elected office for six years. Raj Narain, the founder of the Janata Party (Secular), filed the case. The party eventually merged with the Janata Dal. Narain lost to former PM Gandhi from her Rae Bareli seat. Freedom of the press and speech were curtailed, among other rights, and multiple opposition leaders, including Jayaprakash Narayan, Morarji Desai, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, LK Advani, and others, were arrested under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA). According to an official statement by the central government, nearly 35 thousand people were detained under MISA. Multiple laws and constitutional amendments were also passed, which curtailed the powers of the courts, along with enacting pre-censorship in media, and a sterilisation campaign of lakhs of people, among other things. (ANI)
