Mahadangal: BJP Accuses, Congress Defends—Emergency’s Ghost Still Haunts Parliament | ABP NEWS

On June 25, marking 50 years since the Emergency was imposed in India in 1975, a fiery debate unfolded on ABP News’ Mahadangal show. The day was observed by the BJP as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas (Constitution Killing Day), with protests held across the country. Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on the Congress, saying, “Those who now talk of democracy come from the very party that imposed the Emergency. They turned from protectors to predators of the Constitution.” In the debate, BJP spokesperson Siddharth Yadav slammed the Congress for never formally apologizing for the Emergency. He questioned why top leaders like Rahul Gandhi or Mallikarjun Kharge never took accountability for what he called "India’s longest night after independence." Yadav cited press censorship, mass arrests, and judicial suppression during Emergency, even recalling Justice HR Khanna’s lone dissent in the Supreme Court, which cost him the Chief Justice post. Congress responded, stating that Rahul Gandhi had already acknowledged the Emergency as a mistake and that it had caused political damage, including their 1977 defeat. Congress panelist Charan Singh Sapra reminded the panel that Indira Gandhi returned in 1980 with a two-thirds majority, signaling public forgiveness. The Congress also claimed the BJP was invoking Emergency now only because it fears the growing support for Rahul Gandhi’s Samvidhan Bachao Yatra. Congress accused the BJP of using past incidents to distract from what he called an “undeclared emergency” in today’s India. The debate laid bare deep political divisions. While BJP sees Emergency as an unforgivable sin, Congress argues that the real threat to democracy is happening today. As the political war escalates, the shadow of the Emergency continues to haunt Indian politics.

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