Emergency biggest blow: Modi
It should be remembered as a reason to strengthen democracy, says PM attacking Indira Gandhi
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2015-10-12 04:10 GMT
New Delhi: Terming Emergency as the biggest blow to democracy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said its memories should be kept alive to further fortify the democratic structure as the struggle against it gave birth to a new generation of leaders and a new kind of politics in the country. “Emergency was the biggest blow to democracy. The kind of crisis that hit the country during that period had tempered the Indian democracy which came out stronger. I am grateful to those who struggled and fought against it. ...
“Emergency should be remembered not to cry or brood over what had happened then, but to strengthen our resolve to fortify and further strengthen the democratic values and framework in our country,” Mr Modi said at a programme ‘Loktantra Prahari Abhinandan’ to mark Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan’s 113th birth anniversary. Mr Modi said, “We do not want to remember Emergency to criticise someone, but to constantly be reminded of commitment towards democracy and freedom of press.”
Attacking then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for imposing Emergency, Mr Modi said something good emerges even from a bad and the struggle that ensued during that period helped strengthen democracy. BJP veteran L.K. Advani, who was also present at the event, suggested inclusion of history of the Emergency in school and college curricula and establishment of a memorial to those who fought against it.