PM Modi Pays Tribute to Emergency-Era Protesters, Calls for Eternal Vigilance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his monthly radio address Mann Ki Baat, commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Emergency by honoring those who resisted what he termed one of the darkest chapters in India’s democratic history.

Without naming the Congress Party or then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Modi condemned the 21-month Emergency imposed in 1975, describing it as a time when the Constitution was “murdered” and the judiciary reduced to a “puppet”. He emphasized that the sacrifices of those who opposed the Emergency must always be remembered to safeguard the nation’s democratic values.

“Thousands were jailed and subjected to inhuman treatment. Students were harassed, freedom of expression was throttled, and fear prevailed,” Modi said. “But Indians did not bow down — they refused to compromise on democracy”.

The Prime Minister played archival audio clips of former leaders such as Morarji Desai, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Jagjivan Ram, who had vocally opposed the Emergency. He also recalled the arrest and chaining of socialist leader George Fernandes under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), highlighting the widespread use of the law to silence dissent.

Marking the occasion as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas (Constitution Murder Day), Modi urged citizens to remain vigilant and committed to constitutional principles. “The strength of Indian democracy lies in the people’s courage and commitment,” he said.

The Emergency, declared on June 25, 1975, led to the suspension of civil liberties, press censorship, and mass detentions. It was lifted in March 1977 following widespread public opposition and electoral defeat of the ruling regime.