PM Modi Calls the 1975 Emergency a Stain on Indian Democracy

“During Emergency the nation was turned into a jail to serve one family,” PM Modi said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during a BJP function, in Mumbai on Tuesday, 26 June. 

(Photo: PTI)

Video: Hera Khan

Video Editor: Ashutosh Bhardwaj

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, 26 June, said the 1975-77 Emergency was a "dark period" that the nation could never forget, while addressing BJP workers in Mumbai.

“The ‘Black Day’ was organised to mark the 43rd anniversary of Emergency, not just to criticise Congress for the sin of attacking the Constitution, but to create awareness about its perils,” PM Modi said.

After Modi’s speech, Randeep Surjewala of the Congress hit back at the PM, saying that revisiting the Emergency will not help bring “achhe din (good days)” for the country.

Targeting the Nehru-Gandhi family, Modi had claimed that during the period of Emergency, the nation was turned into “a jail” to serve “one family.”

Those who speak of protecting the Constitution turned the country into a jail for the sake of one family by imprisoning prominent opposition leaders during Emergency.

PM Modi

In his scathing attack on Congress, PM cited examples of Congress trying to interfere with the judiciary and restricting creative freedom.

“They (Gandhi family) never imagined that a corruption charge could be framed against them in court and they would have to seek bail, so now they are trying to scare the judiciary by bringing an impeachment motion against Chief Justice of India,” PM said.

When Kishore Kumar ji refused to sing for them (Congress), his songs were not allowed to be played on the radio.

Modi also paid tribute to Ramnath Goenka of The Indian Express, Kuldeep Nayar and the Statesman newspaper for "standing up" against Emergency.

"Many of them were not our supporters either. Nayar is critical of us. But they fought for democracy," Modi said.

Earlier in the day, the prime minister also used his personal Twitter account to talk about Emergency, as his party marked a ‘Black Day’ across the country.

“Not only people but also ideas and artistic freedom were held hostage to power politics,” he wrote.

The Emergency lasted till 21 March 1977. The Congress led by Indira Gandhi was voted out of power in the elections that were held soon after.

Talking About Emergency Won’t Bring ‘Achhe Din’: Congress

The Congress responded to Prime Minister Modi’s attack on the party over the 1975 Emergency, saying the ‘Black Day’ is just a distraction from BJP government failures.

“Talking about Emergency 43 years later will not bring ‘achhe din,’ ” Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.