Latest news with #Satyagrahis
The Hindu
25-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Emergency was a dark chapter in India's democracy, says BJP Andhra Pradesh spokesperson
Describing the imposition of Emergency on June 25, 1975, as one of the darkest chapters in India's democratic history, BJP Andhra Pradesh official spokesperson Sadineni Yamini Sharma launched a scathing attack on the Congress party. In a statement on Wednesday, Ms. Yamini Sharma said that June 25, 1975, was a day when democratic principles were thrown to the wind by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who imposed Emergency in a desperate bid to cling to power after the Allahabad High Court invalidated her election as an MP. Overnight, civil liberties were suspended, thousands of political leaders and activists were jailed, and the press was gagged under brutal censorship. More than 250 journalists were imprisoned, and over 100,000 Satyagrahis were arrested during that period. Calling for June 25 to be observed as 'Sacrifice Day', she said, 'This is not just about remembering the past, but about staying alert to ensure that such dictatorial tendencies never return. The sacrifices of youth, journalists, and opposition leaders gave India back its democracy.' She also criticised the Nehru-Gandhi family, accusing them of continuously undermining India's democratic fabric.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP to felicitate Emergency-era detainees from city on 50th anniversary
Nagpur: As the 50th anniversary of the Emergency approaches, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to mark the occasion by honouring those who were jailed or actively participated in the anti-Emergency resistance in Nagpur during the 1975-77 period. City BJP president Dayashankar Tiwari and former MLC Girish Vyas announced that the party will felicitate over 450 Satyagrahis, including women and youth activists from Nagpur, who were jailed under the draconian Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) and Defence of India Rules (DIR). The event, titled, 'Loktantra Senani Swagat-Vandan-Abhinandan Samaroh', is scheduled to be held at Vanamati Auditorium on June 25 at 5pm. Senior BJP leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe will be the chief guest. According to Vyas, Sahasrabuddhe will also visit the homes of several MISA detainees' families as part of the outreach programme. "The Emergency was the darkest chapter in Indian democracy. Thousands were jailed without any trial, censorship was imposed, and even music and media were stifled. Yet, people across the country, including here in Nagpur, stood up and resisted," said Vyas, adding, "The BJP wants the current generation to remember and recognise this important struggle." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Tiwari added that the Emergency was not merely a political event but an assault on constitutional values. "The Emergency crushed democracy and silenced people. Late prime minister Indira Gandhi's govt arrested Opposition leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Charan Singh, and thousands of grassroots activists to stay in power," he said. Taking a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the former mayor said, "Those who claim to carry the Constitution in their pocket to safeguard it were the ones who disgraced it by levying the Emergency." He said many unsung heroes from the city were jailed during the 19-month-long Emergency. "Women, youths, and social activists from the city joined the Satyagraha. Our aim is to honour their contribution and sacrifices," he said. Referring to the recent efforts, Tiwari said that Maharashtra's cabinet, under CM Devendra Fadnavis, has doubled the monthly pension given to MISA detainees. Additionally, BJP leaders have recommended that the recognition and benefits given to freedom fighters should also be extended to Emergency-era detainees. The city BJP will also launch a campaign to educate people about the Emergency. A special publication is being brought out that will highlight how constitutional values were subverted under the then-PM Indira Gandhi and her son Sanjay Gandhi's youth brigade. Articles by prominent leaders, including Union minister Gadkari and CM Fadnavis, will be published in newspapers and distributed in slums and Dalit settlements. "The attempt to strangle the democratic system failed because people stood up against it. It was the largest movement after Independence. We want to ensure that this chapter is never forgotten," Vyas said. The BJP also plans to organise tours for students and citizens to the homes of Emergency detainees and publish stories of their resistance. "History must be told truthfully. The sacrifices of those who fought to protect the Constitution must be remembered and celebrated," Tiwari concluded. Former mayors Anil Sole, Archana Dehankar and ex-corporator Ashwini Jichkar were also present at the press conference. (Box) 150 youths to participate in debate on Emergency To create awareness among today's youth about the Emergency and the atrocities committed during that period, BJP city chief Dayashankar Tiwari said the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha has organised a 'Model Parliament' debate at the Zilla Niyojan Bhavan on June 25, where 150 city youths will engage in a battle of wits over various aspects and impacts of the Emergency.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
95 years later, the Salt March lives on in Tamil Nadu, but the memory slips away
Every April 13 for the past 25 years, D. Sakthi Selvaganapathi, a horologist from Tiruvarur, makes his way to the Trichy cantonment. There, he joins fellow Gandhians for a 240 km salt march, reenacting the historic Vedaranyam Salt Satyagraha led by freedom fighter C. Rajagopalachari 95 years ago. Gandhians across Tamil Nadu have been reenacting the march for the past 60 years, says Selvaganapathi, ever since the 25th anniversary of the original walk. "The reenactment is a reminder of breaking the salt law imposed by the British," says the 71-year-old, who represents the Trichy-Vedaranyam Salt Satyagraha Dandi Yatra committee. "We continue to campaign against caste discrimination and alcoholism, advocate for literacy, and promote khadi, all causes that the Satyagrahis fought for in 1930." On March 12, 1930, Mahatma Gandhi led about 78 volunteers on a 387 km walk from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad to the coastal village of Dandi in Navsari district as part of the Civil Disobedience Movement. On April 6, at Dandi beach, Gandhi broke the salt law by boiling seawater to produce salt. Later, Rajagopalachari, President of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, began a 240 km march to Vedaranyam to replicate Gandhi's protest. On April 13, 1930, 98 Satyagrahis started their journey from Dr T. S. S. Rajan's residence near Trichy Cantonment. The marchers walked through Srirangam, Kallanai, Thanjavur, Papanasam, Kumbakonam, Needamangalam, Mannargudi, and Thiruthuraipoondi, campaigning against caste discrimination and promoting national integration and social harmony. Despite threats of imprisonment from Thanjavur district collector J. A. Thorne, people in every village and town supported them. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo "The sun did not rise over the Bay of Bengal on April 30 when CR and 16 fellow marchers set out towards Edanthevar salt swamp, a couple of miles from Vedaranyam camp. Almost immediately after they reached the swamp, they bent and picked up some salt," writes Rajmohan Gandhi, author of the biography 'Rajaji, a Life'. Rajagopalachari was immediately arrested. A trial was conducted at a salt shed (now the office of the salt commission in Agasthiyampalli). A judge sentenced Rajagopalachari to six months of rigorous imprisonment in Trichinopoly central prison. Following Rajagopalachari, hundreds of people defied the salt law in the following month and were arrested. Every year, the Gandhians and Congress cadres dressed in khadi and carrying Indian flags from across Tamil Nadu reenact the march with a symbolic start at the same point near Trichy cantonment. The villagers of Vedaranyam and a group named Salt Satyagraha Reenactment Marchers Reception Committee welcome the reenactors as they arrive at Vedaranyam on April 28. The following day, the group holds a fast and sings songs of national devotion at the Vedaranyam Salt Satyagraha memorial, even spinning yarn on charkas. On April 30, the Gandhians garland busts of Vedaranyam's freedom fighters such as A. Vedaratnam, K. Vairappan, and V. Subbaiya, and grab handfuls of salt and raise slogans in front of the salt march memorial pillar in Agasthiyampalli where the salt laws were broken. "We are doing this in the hope that the younger generations will not forget," says Selvaganapathi. "Today's generation is not aware of the significance of the Vedaranyam Satyagraha," says 'Pookadai' T. Panneerselvam, a florist from Trichy and representative of the Salt Satyagraha Awareness Committee. "Though we Gandhians have been keeping the spirit of the Satyagraha alive with the reenactment, the govt too needs to promote awareness. The govt could develop memorials that educate people on this movement," says the 61-year-old. P. V. Rajendran, a representative of the Salt Satyagraha Reenactment Marchers Reception Committee, says names of Satyagrahis should be inscribed in memorials as people only know about Rajaji. "We can have sound and light shows at the memorials to educate students about it." Many historical sites associated with the movement are now dilapidated, says Selvaganapathi. "Dr T. S. S. Rajan's house in Trichy and the historic buildings in Vedaranyam where the Satyagrahis were detained and tried after the salt march need renovation." The family of Sardar Vedaratnam, who was one of the main figures of the Vedaranyam march, has been demanding statues of the freedom fighters for years now. "We have been petitioning the Union govt to rename Agasthiyampalli Railway Station as 'Salt Satyagraha Agasthiyampalli Railway Station' and Vedaranyam Railway Station as 'Sardar Vedaratnam Vedaranyam Railway Station' for a few years now," says his 74-year-old grandson A. Vedarathinam.
The Hindu
24-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
From The Hindu, April 24, 1925: The Vaikom Pact
Ahmedabad, April 23: Mr. Gandhi writes in today's Young India saying that the Travancore Government is giving full effect to the agreement arrived at between the Commissioner of Police and himself. He hopes that before long the prohibition against the use by the Untouchables of the public roads surrounding the temples will be a thing of the past. He points out to the Satyagrahis the absolute need for the scrupulous observance of their part of the compact.
