On the 40th anniversary of the Emergency rule in India, PM Narendra Modi recounted the event with a series of tweets on Thursday, saying it was “one of India’s darkest periods.”
We mark 40 years of one of India’s darkest periods- the Emergency, when the then political leadership trampled over our democracy.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2015
PM Narendra Modi targeted the Congress, which was in power at the time, and said: “Let us do everything possible to further strengthen our democratic ideals and ethos.”
A vibrant liberal democracy is the key to progress. Let us do everything possible to further strengthen our democratic ideals & ethos.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2015
PM Modi, who was young at the time of emergency said Emergency brings back many memories and that youngsters had learnt a lot during the anti-Emergency movement.
Personally, the Emergency brings back many memories. As youngsters, we learnt a lot during the anti-Emergency movement.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2015
He also mentioned socialist leader Jai Prakash Narayan who he said helped safeguard democracy.
Inspired by the call of JP, several men & women across India selflessly immersed themselves in the movement to safeguard our democracy. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2015
Emergency was a great opportunity to work with a wide spectrum of leaders & organisations fighting for the same goal- return of democracy. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2015
We are very proud of the lakhs of people, who resisted the Emergency & whose efforts ensured that our democratic fabric is preserved.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2015
The ruling BJP has planned a high profile event today to mark the anniversary of the 1975 Emergency rule, when several opposition leaders were jailed by the then Congress government led by Indira Gandhi, and severe restrictions were imposed on the media.
On 25 June, 1975 the then prime minister Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency in India citing grave threat to her government and sovereignty of the country from both internal and external forces.
It was lifted only after two years in the wake of widespread mass movement.