Patna (Bihar) [India], June 25 : Observing the 50th anniversary of the Emergency in India, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar remembered participating in the Jayprakash Narayan Movement, opposing the Emergency.
Sharing a social media post, CM Nitish Kumar called June 25, 1975, a 'dark day' in the history of independent India and wrote that the Emergency was a symbol of dictatorship.
"June 25, 1975, is a day we all remember, when the Emergency was imposed in the country. It is called the dark day in the history of independent India. The Emergency of 1975 was a symbol of the dictatorship of the then government. During the Emergency, restrictions were placed on the freedom of expression of the people," CM Nitish wrote on X.
Remembering Jayaprakash Narayan and his movement against the Emergency, Nitish Kumar said that he too participated and was imprisoned along with his colleagues.
"Against the Emergency, Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan ji started a movement. I, too, participated in this movement along with many of my colleagues and actively opposed the Emergency. All of us colleagues were imprisoned for raising our voices against dictatorship. However, the people of the country demonstrated unity and courage. Together, we fought the battle," the X post read.
CM Nitish added, "All of you know that the voice of the people lies at the core of democracy. It is our responsibility to protect it in every situation. Bihar has always made the spirit of the Constitution, justice, freedom, and social justice the path of its development. Let our resolve be that we will always remain vigilant and ready to protect the ideals of the Constitution."
The Central government has decided to mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency as 'Samvidhan Hatya Divas'.
On 25 June 1975, then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed issued the Emergency Proclamation under Article 352, citing threats from internal disturbance. The Emergency was declared against a backdrop of mounting political unrest and judicial developments that shook the legitimacy of the ruling leadership.