BJP Slams Congress Over Emergency, To Include “Truth” In Textbooks

“There was no public purpose for Emergency, but Congress made the move to remain in power,” said Prakash Javedekar.

BJP President Amit Shah and Union Minister Prakash Javedekar.

(Photo: The Quint)

Union minister Prakash Javedekar on Tuesday, 26 June, said the emergency imposed by the Congress in 1975 was a blot on democracy and the Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry would work to include the truth about this ‘dark chapter’ in school and college textbooks.

People should know the complete truth about the Emergency phase that the country witnessed. We will make required changes in textbooks to spread awareness among the new generation.

Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister said at a press conference in Jaipur

There was no public purpose, but Congress made the move to remain in power, he further said.

The BJP observed “Black Day” across the country on Tuesday to mark the 43rd anniversary of the Emergency imposed by the then prime minister Indira Gandhi.

Addressing a press conference in Jaipur, the HRD minister further said there was no undeclared emergency in the country for the last four years and the allegations levelled by rebel BJP leader Ghanshyam Tiwari in this regard were false. There was complete freedom under the present government system.

Ghanshyam Tiwari had tendered his resignation from the BJP on 25 June saying the country and the state of Rajasthan were undergoing undeclared emergency for the last four years.

Senior party leaders and Union ministers addressed press conferences and seminars on Emergency and targeted the Congress party.

Congress Turned Akashwani Into ‘Congresswani’: Amit Shah

Addressing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in Ahmedabad on 26 June, party president Amit Shah slammed the Congress saying that people who talk about independence today don't remember the time their ancestors ruled and how freedom of newspapers were curbed then.

He further added that the government’s radio broadcaster Akashwani was turned into 'Congresswani'.

Support For Emergency in ‘Congress DNA’: Ravi Shankar Prasad

Attacking the Congress, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the Congress had tried to silence the judiciary then and, in a similar manner, has sent out a message to it now by raking up several cases.

The support for the Emergency is in the DNA of the Congress, he said.

When it loses elections, it blames the electronic voting machine and the Election Commission and its leaders also attacked the Army chief.

Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Law Minister

The Union Law Minister also supported the demand that a lesson on the Emergency should be included in text books.

Congress A ‘History-Sheeter’: Naqvi

Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that the Congress was a "history-sheeter" in throttling democratic values and constitutional norms and had been unable to shed its "dictatorial" mentality.

"The Congress has failed to overcome the same feudal mentality and motive," he added.

Naqvi said the Centre's decision to include, in detail, chapters on the Emergency in textbooks was a welcome step as there was a need to tell people about the atrocities committed during the period when "the soul of democracy and the Constitution was destroyed".

Darkest Phase In Democratic History: Parrikar

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar described the imposition of Emergency in 1975 as the "darkest phase in the democratic history" of India. He took to Twitter to laud those who fought against the "atrocities" of the then Congress government.

People Should Know What Happened Then: Paswan

Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan said the idea of imposing Emergency is "unimaginable" in the present era and asserted that an independent media is an essential requirement for a healthy democracy.

He rejected the Congress' claim that there was an undeclared Emergency in the country under the Modi government and said nobody can dare to impose the draconian measure now.

Democracy has taken deep roots in the country and people are enamoured of it. Unlike 1975 when it was imposed, there are countless sources of information now. Only a madman can think of imposing Emergency in today’s world.

Ram Vilas Paswan, Union minister to PTI

Paswan supported the BJP-led NDA government's move to highlight the excesses during the Emergency saying that people should know what had happened then.

Emergency Talks Won’t Bring ‘Acche Din’: Congress

The Congress slammed the BJP’s attack on the party over the 1975 Emergency. While responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remark on Emergency, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the ‘Black Day’ is just a distraction from BJP government failures.

“Talking about Emergency 43 years later will not bring ‘achhe din,’ ” he said.

"Delhi Sultanate's 'dictator' Modi, who is even more cruel than Aurangzeb, today gave lessons to the country on the Emergency imposed 43 years ago. By taking out his anger on the Congress, can a lid be put on Modiji's 'jumlas'?" Surjewala told PTI.

‘Indira Gandhi Regretted The Emergency’

Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma flayed the BJP for drawing a parallel between former prime minister Indira Gandhi and German dictator Adolf Hitler, saying it was an "absurd and outrageous" distortion of history.

Sharma also said India was now witnessing a systemic subversion of all institutions that "uphold our Constitution and democracy under the watch of an authoritarian prime minister and arrogant government".

He further said that the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi in 1975 was an aberration and she herself regretted it.

Country In An Undeclared Emergency For Last 4 Years: Mayawati

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati said that the country had been under an "undeclared emergency" for the last four years and the people were feeling "suffocated" due to the prevailing situation.

The country faces a financial emergency due to demonetisation and has been facing a situation akin to an undeclared emergency for the last four years.

Mayawati

"The BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi need to introspect on the undeclared emergency-like situation. They should find a solution to problems such as poverty, unemployment and inflation and prove their patriotism," Mayawati said.