Emergency was crime that put freedom in danger: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the 102nd episode of the monthly radio show Mann Ki Baat, on Sunday said the Emergency was a dark era in India’s history when atrocities were committed on those supporting democracy.

He asserted that India is the mother of democracy which holds democratic values and the Constitution supreme and, therefore, “we cannot forget June 25 when Emergency was imposed on us”.

Emergency was imposed in 1975 by then prime minister Indira Gandhi.

“India is the mother of democracy. We cannot forget June 25. The day when emergency was imposed. It was a dark period in the history of India. Millions of people opposed the emergency with all their might. The supporters of democracy were tortured so much during that time that even today, the mind shudders. Today, when we celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav we must also observe such crimes. This will teach the young generations the meaning and importance of democracy,” Modi said.

On his Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast, Modi also lauded Indian athletes. “This month, many great news has come for India from the sports world. The Indian team has increased the glory of the tricolour by winning the Women’s Junior Asia Cup for the first time. This month, our men’s hockey team won the Junior Asia Cup, along with this we have also become the winning team in the history of this tournament,” the PM said.