On Tuesday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a strong attack on the Congress on the 49th anniversary of the Emergency. Union Home Minister Amit Shah described it as the biggest example of the opposition party’s long history of harming democracy. BJP President J.P. Nadda and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also condemned the Congress for its actions during the Emergency period.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted, “Today is a day to pay homage to all those great men and women who resisted the Emergency. The dark days of Emergency remind us of how the Congress Party subverted basic freedoms and trampled over the Constitution of India which every Indian respects greatly. The mindset which led to the imposition of the Emergency is very much alive among the same Party which imposed it. They hide their disdain for the Constitution through their tokenism but the people of India have seen through their antics and that is why they have rejected them time and again”
Amit Shah’s Remarks
Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the severe impact of the Emergency, imposed by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975. In his post on ‘X’, Shah said, “The arrogant and autocratic Congress government had suspended people’s civil rights for 21 months for the sake of power to one family. Censorship was imposed on the media, the Constitution was amended, and even the judiciary was restrained.” He paid tribute to those who fought against the Emergency.
Nadda’s Criticism
BJP President J.P. Nadda took to ‘X’ to criticize the Congress for its politically driven decision to impose a state of Emergency. He said, “The Congress’ politically driven decision to impose a state of Emergency had shaken the very pillars of democracy as it tried to trample over the Constitution given by B.R. Ambedkar.” Nadda added, “During this period, those who today claim to be guardians of Indian democracy left no effort to suppress voices raised in defense of constitutional values. I am proud that our Party belongs to that tradition which resisted the Emergency tooth and nail and worked to protect democracy.”
Defence Minister’s View
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the Emergency as a “black chapter” in Indian democracy. In his post on ‘X’, Singh stated, “Dictatorship and misuse of power were on brazen display during the period, and it raises a big question mark on the commitment to democracy of several political parties.”
Modi’s Call to Prevent Future Emergencies
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also invoked the Emergency to criticize the Congress and urged people to ensure it is never repeated. He emphasized that the Congress had made efforts to suppress constitutional values for power.
Opposition’s Response
The BJP’s criticism came amid a coordinated campaign by opposition parties to accuse Modi’s government of working against the Constitution. Congress and other opposition members carried copies of the Constitution in Parliament on Monday as the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha began.
(With inputs from PTI)
