Assam CM: Day of Declaration of Emergency is a Black Day in Indian History

 GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that those who resisted the declaration of an emergency, endured intolerable pain, and sacrificed immensely to strengthen the democratic spirit are the sources of inspiration for the present generation. On the occasion of the day of the declaration of emergency, a programme was organized on Sunday at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra to felicitate 301 Lok Tantra Senani and their relatives. The Chief Minister felicitated the Lok Tantra Senani and presented pension papers to 91 of them.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that in Indian democracy, the day when an emergency was declared was regarded as very significant. He said that June 25, 1975, is considered a 'black day' in Indian democracy. On this day, based on the recommendation of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, President of India Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed declared an emergency. The day is regarded as the black day in Indian democracy because it was declared flouting all democratic principles and norms. However, braving the highhandedness of the then Prime Minister, lakhs of Indians raised their voice against subverting democracy, and in return, they ended up in prison. Even in Assam, thousands of people raised their voices against the despotism of the then Prime Minister, jumped on the street, and showed their resentment for imposing an emergency. He said that it was because of the stiff resistance of the staunch believers in democracy that, after a period of one year and nine months, on March 21, 1977, democracy was restored in the country. The Chief Minister also said that the Lok Tantra Senani, who fought hard for the return of democracy, have a lot to wait for. On the occasion of Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal, Assam decided to felicitate Lok Tantra Senani.

The Cabinet meeting held on April 19 decided to pay a monthly pension of Rs 15000 to the Lok Tantra Senani, who served imprisonment for protesting against the emergency. In the event of the death of a Lok Tantra Senani, his wife or his unmarried daughter will be entitled to a monthly pension.

The Chief Minister said that the emergency imposed in 1975 was not the result of treason. It was imposed by the then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to fulfil her personal political interests. He said that in the name of national security, the then Prime Minister used the emergency to act against forces that she believed to be inimical to her. The Chief Minister also said that during the emergency, newspapers were gagged. In the name of emergency, the then-Congress government arrested several people in Assam and sent them to prison, stated a press release.

Also Read:  Assam Honours 91 'loktantra Senanis' Recalling Emergency Era

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