New Delhi, June 26
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his “Mann Ki Baat” today recalled the imposition of National Emergency in June 1975, saying people’s democratic rights and civil liberties were crushed during the period, but the faith of Indians in democracy could not be shaken.
Faith could not be shaken
Despite several attempts, thousands of arrests and atrocities on millions, the faith of Indians in democracy could not be shaken. Through democratic means, people got rid of the Emergency. Narendra Modi, PM
Emergency was announced in the country on June 25, 1975, when Indira Gandhi was the PM, and was lifted on March 21, 1977.
Addressing the youth, PM Modi said their parents’ rights were once snatched when they were of their age during the Emergency.
All democratic rights and personal liberties were crushed, including Article 21 of the Constitution which ensures fundamental right to life and personal liberty. Censorship was imposed, under which action was taken by the then regime against Bollywood singer, late Kishore Kumar, when he refused to applaud the government, PM Modi said.
The country’s courts, every constitutional institution, the press, were put under control.
The people of India got rid of the Emergency and re-established democracy in a democratic way, he said.
“It is difficult to find such an example of defeating a dictatorial mindset, a dictatorial tendency in a democratic way, in the whole world,” he added.
He said when the country is celebrating 75 years of its Independence, that dreadful period of emergency should not be forgotten.
The PM underlined India’s surge in startups in the space sector whose number has now soared to 100.
Lauding the youth for their superlative performances, PM Modi said Indian sportsmen have started dominating at world level. In this context he lauded international women cricketer Mithali Raj, who retired recently, saying she is an aspiration to the youth.
The PM underlined the growing consciousness in the country on the campaign for from “waste to wealth”.
Pitching for protection of environment, he said a team of cyclists in Himachal Pradesh will cover a distance of 175 km from Shimla to Mandi to promote the “Swachhta” campaign.
He laid stress on the need for water conservation, noting the monsoon’s arrival across the country.
He urged people to take the precautionary does of Covid-19 vaccine. Close to 200 crore vaccine doses have been administered in the country so far.
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