TV
On the occasion of the Samvidhan Hatya Divas, BJP National Vice-President and Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda recalled the ‘black day’ (June 25, 1975), while addressing people in several public events during his 1-day visit to Sambalpur district on Wednesday.
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This day marks the completion of 50 years of the emergency in India, a defining moment in the country's history. The country is observing this day as ‘black day’ on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the national emergency imposed on June 25, 1975.
In Sambalpur today, the senior BJP leader spoke about the legacy of the emergency and India’s rise since then. On this occasion, the MP attended several events in the district, including a press meet where he discussed the adverse impact of the day.
On this day in 1975, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had imposed national emergency in the country, overriding judicial decisions and curbing democratic freedoms. During this time, thousands were imprisoned, and widespread human rights abuses took place.
Reflecting on the past, MP Panda highlighted how, despite such challenges, the country has progressed remarkably. He pointed out that over the last 10 years, 25 crore people have moved above the poverty line.
The senior BJP leader emphasised that the youth of today must remember the sacrifices made during the emergency and the importance of protecting democracy.
Earlier in the day, the Kendrapara MP participated in a tree-planting ceremony at Shree Krishna Goshala in Potapali locality. Later, he attended a ‘mock parliament’ held at Sambalpur University, where he took part in a discussion about the emergency and its lessons for India’s future generations.
“Bharat is the largest democracy in the world, not only today but for ages. The largest democracy had faced its biggest challenge after Independence, when a national emergency was declared on this day exactly 50 years ago,” MP Panda expressed.
“The erstwhile prime minister from the Congress party had imposed emergency by disobeying an order of the Allahabad High Court. By doing so, it was an attempt made by her to kill democracy in the country. Actual ‘censorship’ was clamped on the media and hundreds of arrests from different sections of society, including students, men, and women, were made,” the senior BJP leader stated.
“Many people were tortured and several of them had died in jails,” Panda added.
