'Emergency' took away people's rights: PM Modi remembers 'dark chapter' in India's history

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday recalled the 1975 'emergency' imposed by the former PM Indira Gandhi and asserted that during that period an attempt was made to crush the 'democracy'.

He also termed 'emergency' as the 'dark chapter' in India's history.

"In June, 1975, 'emergency' was imposed in the country. In that, all the rights were taken away from the citizens of the country. One among those rights was the 'Right to Life and Personal Liberty' provided to all Indians under Article 21 of the Constitution. At that time an attempt was made to crush the democracy of India," the PM said in his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat" address, as he asked the youth in the age group of 24-25 whether they knew that their parents 'right to life' was once snatched away from them.

He further said, "During the emergency, the country's courts, every constitutional institution and press were put under control. The condition of censorship was such that nothing could be printed without approval. I remember when famous singer Kishore Kumar refused to applaud the government, he was banned. His entry on the radio was done away with. "

Lauding those who resisted the emergency, the PM said it was our democratic mindset that eventually prevailed.

"The people of India got rid of the emergency and re-established democracy in a democratic way. It is difficult to find such an example of defeating a 'dictatorial mindset', a dictatorial tendency in a democratic way, in the whole world," Modi said.

Talking about the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav', the PM said, "Today, when the country is celebrating 75 years of independence as 'Amrit Mahotsav', we should never forget that 'dreadful' period of emergency. The generations to come should also not forget."

The 'Amrit Mahotsav' not only encompasses the victory saga of freedom from hundreds of years of slavery, but also the journey of 75 years after independence, he added. (UNI)