Anti-Emergency movement was learning experience: PM

New Delhi, Jun 25: On the solemn occasion marking fifty years since the imposition of the Emergency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday paid heartfelt tributes to the countless Indians who stood tall in defence of democracy during one of the darkest chapters in the nation’s history.
Recalling the grave assault on constitutional values, the Prime Minister said that June 25th is observed as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas — a day when fundamental rights were suspended, press freedom extinguished, and countless political leaders, social workers, students, and ordinary citizens were imprisoned.
Modi also reiterated the commitment to strengthen the principles in our Constitution and working together to realise our vision of a Viksit Bharat.
He further remarked that the anti-Emergency movement was a learning experience, which reaffirmed the vitality of preserving our democratic framework.
Modi called 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 to create awareness among the youth of the shameful time from 1975 to 1977.
In a series of posts on X, he wrote: “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 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! #SamvidhanHatyaDiwas”
“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. #SamvidhanHatyaDiwas”
“We salute 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. #SamvidhanHatyaDiwas”
“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. #SamvidhanHatyaDiwas”
“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 HD Deve Gowda Ji, himself a stalwart of the anti-Emergency movement.
“‘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.