In his recent Mann Ki Baat broadcast, Prime Minister Modi asserted that the individuals responsible for imposing an emergency have ended the spirit of the Constitution.
In a candid, conversational tone, let's delve into the darkest chapter of Indian democracy—the Emergency period.
Fast forward to June 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his monthly radio address "Mann Ki Baat," heavily criticized the Emergency (1975-1977), labeling it as one of the most dismal periods in India's democratic history.
He deemed that the Emergency represented an attempt to strangle democracy and subvert the Constitution, manipulating the judiciary to suppress dissent.
Known as "Samvidhan Hatya Diwas," our nation is commemorating the 50th anniversary of this dark era. During his address, Modi showcased archival audio snippets of former Prime Ministers Morarji Desai, Babu Jagjivan Ram, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who further painted a grim picture of those times.
Desai, in one of the clips played by Modi, emphasized how the Emergency had seriously degraded human rights. Hundreds of thousands of people were thrown in jail, their freedom was unjustly annulled, voices were silenced, and the judiciary was rendered powerless.
Vajpayee, in another clip, reflected on the people's peaceful revolution, indicating that the oppressors of democracy were thrown out of the political landscape as a result of public uproar.
Undeterred by the government's heavy-handed tactics, the Indian people stood firm, couragously resisting the tyranny of the Emergency and ultimately regaining their democratic freedoms.
Modi also emphasized the recent International Yoga Day celebrations, where millions participated from various walks of life. He engaged in discussions on topics like health, religious pilgrimage, and eliminating eye disease.
In the wake of the annual International Yoga Day celebrations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the importance of preserving India's democratic policies, advocating vigilance to prevent a recurrence of the oppressive Emergency period (1975-1977). He reminded the nation of the critical role the public played in countering the suppressive measures during that dark era, highlighting the importance of citizens standing up for their rights.
