MP Khatana calls imposition of emergency darkest chapter in Indian Democracy
Srinagar,(ANB): Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, Ghulam Ali Khatana,said that 25th June is a solemn reminder of the 1975 imposition of Emergency, which is widely regarded as one of the darkest chapters in India’s democratic history.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday MP Khatana described the 21-month Emergency declared by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as a period marked by the suspension of civil liberties, press censorship, and suppression of political dissent. He termed it “the blackest period in independent India” and paid homage to those who stood against authoritarian rule to defend the Constitution and democratic values.
“The Emergency was a direct attack on the soul of our democracy. It is our duty to remind the new generations of this betrayal of constitutional governance,” Khatana said.
“Today, we rededicate ourselves to protecting the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution.”
According to ANB, MP Khatana highlighted the pivotal role played by the Bharatiya Janata Party’s ideological predecessor, the Jana Sangh, which led the resistance against the Emergency. He praised the courage of thousands of party workers, civil society members, and opposition leaders who were jailed, tortured, or silenced during the crackdown.
He emphasized that observing Emergency Day is not merely a tribute to the past but a necessary reminder to safeguard democracy from any future threats. ANB
