Emergency was declared by former PM Indira Gandhi on June 25, 1975

New Delhi:

Several BJP leaders today put out posts on social media to mark 45 years of the Emergency declared by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975. Emergency has remained one of the most controversial periods in Indian democracy. 

The BJP said on Twitter: “Emergency 1975- The unforgivable sin of Congress. Before the President’s signature on the declaration papers, top national leaders like JP Narayan, Morarji Desai, LK Advani and AB Vajpayee along with hundreds of others had been imprisoned overnight.” 

Emergency 1975 – The unforgivable sin of Congress

All major democratic institutions like bureaucracy, police, media and judiciary were made to collapse by Congress govt. #Emergency1975HauntsIndiapic.twitter.com/gyFL60glYM

— BJP (@BJP4India) June 25, 2020

According to a report of the International Human Rights Organization, 1,40,000 people had been arrested without trial during then Congress Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi’s emergency. #Emergency1975HauntsIndiapic.twitter.com/gb4GW0HbkN

— BJP (@BJP4India) June 25, 2020

Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted: “On this day, 45 years ago one family’s greed for power led to the imposition of the Emergency. Overnight the nation was turned into a prison. The press, courts, free speech… all were trampled over. Atrocities were committed on the poor and downtrodden.” Mr Shah also accused the Congress having an “Emergency mindset”. 

On this day, 45 years ago one family’s greed for power led to the imposition of the Emergency. Overnight the nation was turned into a prison. The press, courts, free speech…all were trampled over. Atrocities were committed on the poor and downtrodden.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 25, 2020

As one of India’s opposition parties, Congress needs to ask itself:

Why does the Emergency mindset remain?

Why are leaders who don’t belong to 1 dynasty unable to speak up?

Why are leaders getting frustrated in Congress?

Else, their disconnect with people will keep widening.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 25, 2020

Another senior minister, Piyush Goyal, tweeted: “Emergency is the darkest period in independent India’s history.” Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for PMO wrote, “History will always recall it as a black day of Indian democracy….” Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan posted that Emergency made a mockery of the Constitution.

1975 Emergency is the darkest period in independent India’s history

Embarking on a new path, our Govt has created a new India which strengthens democracy.

Let us reaffirm our commitment to civil liberties, independent judiciary & constitutional values. #Emergency1975HauntsIndiapic.twitter.com/rlVAq6Ud2D

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) June 25, 2020

On this day, 45 years ago, 25 Jun 1975, PM Indira Gandhi declared Internal #Emergency, suspended all fundamental rights ,ordered arrest of opposition leaders and curtailed freedom of press by imposing censorship.
History will always recalls it as a Black Day for Indian democracy. pic.twitter.com/9L4EvwusOR

— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) June 25, 2020

Let us remind ourselves again and again about the darkest period of our history after Independence, when @INCIndia jailed the democracy and made a mockery of the Constitution just to appease one family’s lust for power! #Emergency1975HauntsIndiapic.twitter.com/7xi3LQpg9V

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) June 25, 2020

Senior BJP leader BL Santosh wrote, “Congress led by Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency and trampled upon the fundamental rights of ordinary people.”

That dark day 45 years ago . When @INCIndia led by Smt Indira Gandhi imposed emergency & trampled upon the fundamental rights of ordinary people of the country & put opposition leaders & civic activists behind bars . #Emergency1975HauntsIndiapic.twitter.com/jjtMEULULR

— B L Santhosh (@blsanthosh) June 25, 2020

Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency on June 25, 1975, days after the Allahabad High Court found her guilty of electoral malpractices and barred her as a parliamentarian for six years. She cited “internal disturbance”, suspended many constitutional rights and jailed thousands of political opponents, student leaders and journalists. The Emergency was withdrawn in 1977.  Mrs Gandhi lost the 1977 general elections and Morarji Desai took over as India’s fourth Prime Minister.