New Delhi: – Marking the 50th anniversary of the Emergency imposed in 1975 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah strongly criticized the move, calling it a “dark chapter in India’s democratic history.” Shah made the remarks while addressing an event titled “Aapatkaal Ke 50 Saal”, organized to remember and reflect on the period of the Emergency that lasted from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977.
“The Emergency was not just a political event—it was an assault on the Constitution, the judiciary, the press, and the voice of the people,” Shah said. “For 21 months, democracy was crushed under the weight of authoritarianism.”
Shah accused the Congress party, particularly Indira Gandhi, of misusing constitutional provisions for personal and political survival. “To protect her own position, she suspended civil liberties, jailed opposition leaders, censored the press, and turned the entire country into an open jail,” he remarked.
Remembering the Resistance
During his speech, the Home Minister paid tribute to thousands of citizens, journalists, students, and political workers who resisted the Emergency. He credited their sacrifices for the eventual return of democracy in 1977 when the people voted out the Congress government.
“Even today, those dark days remind us of how fragile freedom can be if institutions are weakened,” Shah noted, urging the youth to study the Emergency era closely and remain vigilant against any attempts to curtail democratic values.
BJP’s National Campaign
The BJP has launched a nationwide campaign titled “Emergency @50: Never Forget, Never Repeat”, holding exhibitions, panel discussions, and remembrance marches to highlight the excesses committed during the Emergency. Party leaders are using the anniversary to position themselves as protectors of democracy, while questioning the Congress party’s commitment to constitutional values.
Congress Hits Back
In response, the Congress party acknowledged the Emergency but accused the BJP of using it for political mileage. Party spokespersons said, “The nation has moved on. What about the current issues of censorship, arrests of dissenters, and misuse of investigative agencies under the present regime?”
