Emergency was imposed to preserve unity: Rathore

Amid mounting criticism from the BJP over the 1975 Emergency, Congress leader and AICC spokesperson Kuldeep Rathore on Friday defended the controversial decision, stating that it was imposed to protect the unity and integrity of the nation during a period of growing unrest and lawlessness.

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Rathore said the situation in the country at the time had become volatile, with students being instigated to boycott classes, workers being encouraged to abandon factories and even paramilitary forces allegedly being provoked. “In the name of total revolution, an atmosphere of chaos had been created. Under such circumstances, the Emergency was a step to ensure national unity,” he asserted.

He emphasised that the Emergency was not permanent and that once the situation stabilised, the Congress government restored democracy by announcing elections. “If the Congress or then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi didn’t believe in democracy, elections would not have been held,” Rathore said.