New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 123rd episode of his monthly radio address Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, strongly criticized the imposition of the Emergency in 1975, calling it one of the darkest chapters in the history of India’s democracy. Marking the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, he said the nation is observing it as “Samvidhan Hatya Diwas” (Constitution Killing Day).
During the address, PM Modi played rare archival audio recordings of former Prime Ministers Morarji Desai, Babu Jagjivan Ram, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The clips recalled the suppression of civil liberties, press censorship, and mass arrests during the 21-month Emergency period.
“Those who imposed the Emergency not only murdered democracy but also attempted to turn the judiciary into their puppet,” Modi said. Referring to the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), he highlighted how thousands were jailed without trial and citizens faced brutal repression.
In the audio clip, Morarji Desai described the Emergency as a time when freedom was snatched from the people and the judiciary was rendered powerless. “Over one lakh people were jailed. Such arbitrary rule is rare even in world history,” Desai said.
PM Modi also played a clip of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, where he termed the people’s resistance to the Emergency a “peaceful revolution” and said, “The wave of people’s power has thrown the killers of democracy into the dustbin of history.”
Another clip featured Babu Jagjivan Ram, who described the post-Emergency elections as a mass movement to end dictatorship and restore democratic values. “It was not just an election, but a campaign to strengthen the foundation of democracy,” he said.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the struggle against the Emergency serves as a reminder of the importance of staying vigilant to protect the Constitution and democratic values.
In addition, PM Modi spoke about the widespread participation in International Yoga Day and addressed other issues such as public health, eye disease prevention, and the significance of religious pilgrimages.
He concluded his address by urging citizens to remember and honour those who fought bravely to safeguard democracy during the Emergency.
