Evoking the 1975 Emergency in his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that Indians defeated dictatorial mindset by democratic means to restore democracy.”I want to ask a question to the youth of today’s generation, to the youth in the age group of 24-25 years, and the question is very serious…Did you know that when your parents were your age, once even their right to life was snatched away from them? You must be thinking how could have this happened? This is just impossible!” the Prime Minister said in his 90th episode of his radio address.
“But my young friends, this had happened once in our country. This took place years ago in 1975. It was the month of June when emergency was imposed. In that, all the rights were taken away from the citizens of the country,” he added.
PM Modi further said that during Emergency period an attempt was made to crush the democracy of India and that the country’s courts, every constitutional institution, the press, were put under control.
“The democratic values ingrained in us since centuries, the spirit of democracy that flows in our veins ultimately triumphed through the democratic process only. People of India got rid of the Emergency and restored democracy,” he said.
Key highlights from PM Modi’s speech:
I remember, when famous singer Kishore Kumar refused to praise the government, he was banned. He was not allowed on radio. Despite several attempts, thousands of arrests and atrocities on millions, faith of Indians in democracy could not be shaken.
- The people of India got rid of the emergency and re-established democracy in a democratic way. It is difficult to find such an example of defeating a dictatorial mindset, a dictatorial tendency in a democratic way, in the whole world.
- Today, when the country is celebrating 75 years of Independence, we must not forget the dark period of Emergency. Amrit Mahotsav not only tells us stories of Independence from Foreign rule but also tells us the journey of 75 years of Independence.
- We also have to take precautions against Covid-19. However,it is a matter of satisfaction that today the country has a comprehensive protective cover of vaccine. We have reached close to 200 crore vaccine doses. Rapid precaution dose is also being imposed in the country.
- Make your family members, especially the elderly, take a precautionary dose. We also have to take necessary precautions like hand hygiene and masks.
- Till a few years ago, in space sector, no one even thought about start-ups. Today their number is more than a hundred. Two start-ups in Chennai and Hyderabad, Agnikul and Skyroot are developing launch vehicles that will take small payloads into space.
