PM Modi recalls dark days of EMERGENCY

Blitz Bureau

Prime Minister Narendra Modi played remarks of leading anti-Emergency politicians in his monthly radio broadcast Mann Ki Baat on June 29 to slam the then-Congress Government for atrocities on people, and said they should always be remembered as it inspires people to stay alert to keep the Constitution strong. The PM said those who imposed the Emergency not only murdered the Constitution but also intended to make the judiciary their slave. He also played bits of speeches of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and former Deputy PM Jagjivan Ram related to the period. The following are excerpts from the 123rd episode of Mann Ki Baat:

At this moment, you all must be full of the energy of yoga and memories of ‘International Yoga Day’. This time as well, on the 21st of June, crores of people across the country and the world participated in the ‘International Yoga Day’. Do you remember, it began 10 years ago? Now, over these 10 years, this event is turning grand with every passing year. This is also an indication that more and more people are adopting yoga in their daily lives…

This time the theme was also very special, ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’. This is not just a slogan; it is a direction which makes us realise the essence of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. I am sure, the grandeur of this year’s Yoga Day will certainly inspire more and more people to adopt yoga.

My dear countrymen, I now want to tell you about two such achievements of the country, which will fill you up with pride. Global institutions are discussing these achievements. WHO i.e. ‘World Health Organization’ and ILO i.e. International Labour Organisation have heaped praises on these achievements of the country. The first achievement is related to our health. Many of you must have heard about an eye disease – trachoma. This infection spreads through bacteria. There was a time when this ailment was common in many parts of the country. If not taken care of, this disease gradually used to lead to loss of eyesight. We resolved to eradicate trachoma from its roots. And I am very happy to share with you that WHO has declared India trachoma-free. India now has become a trachoma-free country. This is the result of the hard work of lakhs of people who fought this disease tirelessly; without a break. This success belongs to our health workers…

Friends, presently, most of the populace in India is taking advantage of one social protection benefit or the other and recently a very important report of the International Labour Organisation – ILO has come out. It has been mentioned in this report that more than 64 per cent of the population of India is now definitely availing of some social protection benefit or the other. Social Security is one of the biggest coverages in the world. Today, around 95 crore people of the country are getting the benefit of some or the other social security schemes; whereas, till 2015, the Government schemes were reaching less than 25 crore people…

My dear countrymen, with the power of public participation, big crises can be confronted. I will play an audio for you… in this audio you will get an idea of the magnitude of that crisis. How grave that crisis was… listen to it first… understand it. (Audio Clip – Morarji Bhai Desai) After all, the oppression that happened for two years, the oppression had started 5-7 years ago. But it has reached its peak in the last two years, when Emergency was imposed on people and people were treated inhumanly. People’s right to freedom was snatched away, newspapers were left without freedom. Courts were made completely powerless. And the way more than one lakh people were put in jail and then arbitrary rule continued, it is difficult to find its traces in the history of the world.

Friends, this is the voice of the former Prime Minister of the country, Shriman Morarji Bhai Desai. He spoke about the Emergency in a brief but very clear manner. You can imagine what that period was like! Those who imposed Emergency not only murdered our Constitution but also had the intention to keep the judiciary as their slave. During this period, people were tormented on a large scale. There are many such examples of this, which can never be forgotten. George Fernandez Sahib was tied in chains.

Many people were subjected to severe torture. Under MISA, anyone could be summarily arrested. Students too were harassed. Freedom of expression was also stifled. Thousands of people who were arrested during that period were subjected to such inhumane atrocities. But it is the strength of the people of India… they did not bow down, did not break down and did not accept any compromise with democracy. Finally, the people at large won – the Emergency was lifted and those who imposed the Emergency were defeated… My dear countrymen, during the last few days, many people from Vietnam sent me their messages through various mediums. There was reverence and affability in every line of these messages. Their feelings were heartwarming. They were expressing their gratitude to India for enabling darshan of the holy relics of Bhagwan Buddha. The emotions in their words were more than any formal thanks.

Friends, originally these sacred relics of Bhagwan Buddha were discovered at Nagarjunakonda of Palnadu district in Andhra Pradesh. This place has a deep connection with Buddhism. It is said that once upon a time, people from far off places including Sri Lanka and China used to come to this place.

Friends, last month these holy relics of Bhagwan Buddha were taken from India to Vietnam. They were kept for public darshan at 9 different places there. In a way, this initiative of India became a national festival for Vietnam… My dear friends, at this moment, everyone’s eyes are also on the International Space Centre. India has scripted a new history. Yesterday I’ve also spoken to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. You must have also heard my conversation with Shubhanshu. Shubhanshu still has to stay at the International Space Centre for a few more days. We will talk more about this Mission, but in the next episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’…

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