Latest news with #SamvidhanHatyaDivas'
NDTV
10-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"Bird Becoming Parrot?" Congress' Dig At Shashi Tharoor After Emergency Article
New Delhi: Shashi Tharoor's article on the Emergency, which is the latest flashpoint between him and the Congress, has prompted a dig from a party colleague, who used an avian analogy to get his message across without naming anybody. The Emergency has become a hot-button issue in Indian politics, especially since the BJP-led government at the Centre began marking June 25 as 'Samvidhan Hatya Divas' to mark the day it was imposed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and several other leaders have been speaking out against the Emergency, calling it the darkest period in Independent India's history and using it to attack the Congress. Eyebrows were, thus, raised when Mr Tharoor, who is the Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, wrote an article on the Emergency in the media non-profit Project Syndicate and said the "excesses" during the period were "downplayed". The article also included criticism of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's son, Sanjay Gandhi, and the forced vasectomy campaigns. Mr Tharoor has been seen as moving increasingly closer to the BJP, especially after his support for Operation Sindoor, which was India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, and his praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr Tharoor also went against his party and led an outreach delegation to five nations, including the US, to convey India's stand that it will adopt a zero-tolerance policy to terrorism, earning praise from the PM and BJP leaders. This perceived closeness was used to take a jibe at Mr Tharoor - without naming him - by Manickam Tagore, the party's whip in the Lok Sabha. "When a Colleague starts repeating BJP lines word for word, you begin to wonder - is the Bird becoming a parrot?" Mr Tagore wrote on X. When a Colleague starts repeating BJP lines word for word, you begin to wonder — is the Bird becoming a parrot? 🦜 Mimicry is cute in birds, not in politics. — Manickam Tagore .B🇮🇳மாணிக்கம் தாகூர்.ப (@manickamtagore) July 10, 2025 "Mimicry is cute in birds, not in politics," he added. 'Unchecked Power' In the article, Mr Tharoor said some of the government's actions during the Emergency reflected "unspeakable cruelty". "In fact, the quest for "discipline" and "order" often translated into unspeakable cruelty, exemplified by the forced vasectomy campaigns led by (Indira) Gandhi's son, Sanjay, and concentrated in poorer and rural areas, where coercion and violence were used to meet arbitrary targets. Slum demolitions, carried out with ruthless efficiency in urban centres like New Delhi, rendered thousands homeless, with little to no concern for their welfare," Mr Tharoor wrote. "These acts were later downplayed as unfortunate excesses. And some might point out that, in the Emergency's immediate aftermath, there was a fleeting sense of order imposed, a temporary respite from the unruliness of democratic politics. But the violence was a direct consequence of a system where unchecked power had become tyrannical, and whatever order the Emergency delivered came at a very high price: the soul of our republic," the MP added.
News18
29-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
‘Not Only They Murder Democracy But…': PM Modi's Dig At Congress On Imposing Emergency
Last Updated: PM Modi said that recently India marked 50 years of dark period and said that democracy was murdered and the people of India were harassed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday took a veiled jibe at Congress party saying that people who imposed emergency in the nation did not just murder the democracy but their goal was also to keep judiciary as their puppet. While addressing the 123rd episode of his monthly radio program, Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi said that recently India marked 50 years of dark period and said that democracy was murdered and the people of India were harassed. He further said that the Emergency was a tough period for the nation. During the broadcast, the Prime Minister also aired the brief message of former PM Morarji Desai detailing how people were tortured during that period. 'Morarji Desai describes the Emergency in brief… Not only did those who imposed Emergency murder democracy, but their intention was to keep the judiciary as their puppet… Under 'MISA', anyone was arrested arbitrarily, people were tortured…" he said. Democracy had entered a dark period during those years. Under 'MISA', anyone was arrested arbitrarily, people were tortured… Indians refused to compromise on democracy. Finally, people won and Emergency was lifted," PM Modi said. He further said that the country marked 50 years of Emergency being imposed, a few days ago. 'We countrymen observed 'Samvidhan Hatya Divas' on the occasion and we must remember those who bravely fought against Emergency. This inspires us to remain vigilant to safeguard our constitution," he added. Earlier on Wednesday, the Union Cabinet, passed a resolution to commemorate and honour the 'sacrifices of countless individuals who valiantly resisted the Emergency". The 21-month-long censorship of the press, mass arrest, and centralisation of power in the hands of an unaccountable executive marked the nadir of Indian democracy. The roots of this unprecedented move lay in a verdict delivered just weeks earlier. On 12 June 1975, the Allahabad High Court found Prime Minister Indira Gandhi guilty of electoral malpractice in her 1971 win over socialist leader Raj Narain from Rae Bareli. The court disqualified her from holding office and barred her from contesting elections for six years. Soon after the court's ruling, the opposition launched a nationwide campaign demanding her resignation. Indira Gandhi's inner circle argued that the country was descending into anarchy – trains had stopped running, courts were being surrounded, and public services had come to a standstill due to strikes. As the pressure mounted, Gandhi's legal team crafted a justification for invoking Article 352. With one stroke of the pen, democracy was suspended. Civil liberties vanished overnight. The press was muzzled, opposition leaders jailed, judicial oversight curtailed, and censorship became law. For the next 21 months, India was ruled under extraordinary powers. Thousands of political opponents were imprisoned without trial. A period of forced sterilisations and slum demolitions followed, with the government wielding unchecked authority.
India Gazette
27-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi was stain on democracy," says Arjun Meghwal
New Delhi [India], June 27 (ANI): Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal launched a sharp attack on the Congress party on the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, calling it a stain on democracy and accusing former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of murdering the Constitution to retain power. Speaking to ANI on Friday, Meghwal said that the Emergency era (1975-1977), imposed by Indira Gandhi, must be remembered so that the new generation understands how democracy was suppressed. 'Everyone has acknowledged that the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi was a stain on democracy, but the new generation should know how Indira Gandhi murdered the Constitution,' said Meghwal. He stated that fundamental rights were taken away, press freedom was severely curbed, and opposition leaders were jailed without reason. 'Citizens' fundamental rights were snatched away, censorship was imposed on the press, opposition leaders were thrown in jail, no one could speak against Indira Gandhi, is that the era we are in now?' he questioned. Criticising the Congress, Meghwal took a jibe at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and LoP Rahul Gandhi, suggesting they admired the Emergency era. 'If you (the opposition) like such an era, then congratulations to you. Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency to save her chair and power... If Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi like this, then congratulations to them, the country does not like such things,' Meghwal said. He further added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had tried to educate the public about this period through the observance of 'Samvidhan Hatya Divas', saying, 'Prime Minister Modi has tried to explain through 'Samvidhan Hatya Divas' that such an era existed.' Earlier in the day, S. Jaishankar also slammed Congress for the Emergency and stated that it happened in the interest of one family was put forward ahead of the interest of the nation. 'The emergency happened because the interest of a family was put ahead of the interests of the nation. Today, the interest of the nation is put first', Jaishankar told reporters. Furthermore, the EAM took a jibe at the opposition and noted that what 'respect' can be seen towards the constitution by those who imposed the Emergency. He stated that nothing will happen by roaming with a copy of the Constitution in hand; it should be respected by heart. 'What respect can you see towards the Constitution by those who are still not apologising for the Emergency? Nothing happens by roaming around with a copy of the Constitution. It should be respected from the heart', S Jaishankar told reporters. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Himachal: Sukhu govt misleading on Centre's devp works, says Rijiju
Highlighting that foundation stones of projects worth over ₹ 80 crore would be laid during his visit of Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur districts, Union minister for parliamentary affairs and minority affairs Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said tribal districts of Himachal Pradesh would witness revolutionary transformation as several development projects were in the pipeline. He also accused the Sukvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government of 'misleading' the people regarding the Union government's role in the state's development. Union minister for parliamentary affairs and minority affairs Kiren Rijiju meets Himachal chief minister Sukvinder Singh Sukhu in Shimla on Thursday. (HT photo) 'The Himachal government's statement that the Union government is not helping is politically motivated. A lot of development works are being done by the Centre,' said Rijiju while unveiling a central package to promote winter and adventure sports in Himachal Pradesh's tribal districts, especially Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti, as part of the Centre's border-area development strategy. Rijiju, who is on a three-day visit to the state, said, 'Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the central government has given priority to the development of infrastructure, including roads, in border areas since 2014.' He added, 'Infact, the previous Congress government had a policy of not undertaking any development in border areas, which has been completely reversed by the Modi government. We are building roads up to the border and have come closer to China in terms of building infrastructure in border areas.' 'In 2013, defence minister AK Antony told Parliament there would be no development in certain border regions. Today, we are building world-class infrastructure in the same areas,' he asserted. Rijiju unveiled a central package and announced indoor multi-sports stadium at Kalpa (foundation to be laid during visit), green grass turf at Gyabung (Kinnaur) costing of ₹ 4.80 crore, high-altitude skiing and winter sports training centre at Kaza (Lahaul-Spiti) with vocational training facilities, to be built at a cost of ₹ 73.77 crore and a special sewage management scheme for high-altitude villages in Lahaul. Terming the imposition of Emergency in 1975 as the 'murder of the Constitution', Rijiju said, 'It throttled the media and crushed individual and institutional freedoms. Even after 50 years, we must not forget the dangers of authoritarianism. That is why the Union Cabinet passed a resolution to remind people about what really happened. Shimla is symbolically important. Today, we observe 'Samvidhan Hatya Divas' from this historic city.'
The Hindu
27-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
U.S. should have introspected before issuing advisory to its citizens in India, says Union Minister Shekhawat
Union Minister of Tourism & Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the recent advisory by the U.S. Government to its citizens in India to be increasingly cautious due to crime and rape was prompted by geopolitical developments, and it had nothing to do with the law and order situation. Addressing the media after watching photographs related to 50 years of imposition of Emergency, organised by the BJP here on Thursday, Mr. Shekhawat said, before issuing the advisory, the U.S. Government should have gone for introspection as to what was happening in Los Angeles and other cities. Replying to a question on the status of tourism in Jammu & Kashmir, he said the tourist activity there had significantly picked up, but it was still short of the pre-Pahalgam situation. On the declaration of Emergency on June 25, 1975, Mr. Shekhawat said it was a dark chapter in Indian democracy, which would have worsened had people not fought against the authoritarian drift in centralisation, executive overreach and media suppression. Freedom was not gifted by somebody, it was the sacrifices of people and the rising of leaders from Bhagat Singh to Mahatma Gandhi to claim sovereignty that resulted in the upholding of democracy and the people's will, he said. The Judiciary, Parliament and the media were silenced, or co-opted, and civil liberties were suspended by the then Prime Minister, he said. Barring a single judge, the Supreme Court had upheld the suspension of rights and Article 359 was used to deny legal remedies to fundamental rights. The NDA Government observed 'Samvidhan Hatya Divas' to educate the people about what happened in those turbulent years, Mr. Shekhawat stated. The Union Minister said proposals worth ₹450 crore were cleared by the Ministry of Tourism under various schemes in the last one year to A.P., and asserted that the State was going to be a major contributor to the boost being given to tourism in the country.
