Emergency of 1975 BJP marks anniversary as Black Day
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 25 2020:
Marking the anniversary of the Emergency which was imposed in 1975 by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, BJP Manipur Pradesh observed the day as Black Day at its Nityaipat Chuthek office today.
Lok Sabha MP Dr RK Ranjan, BJP Manipur Pradesh president Professor S Tikendra, spokesperson Dr Nimaichand Luwang, former Minister Dr Loken, ex-MLA Meinam Bhorot among others attended the observance.
Speaking at the event, RK Ranjan lobbed sharp attacks on the Congress and said this day in 1975 was a black day.
"The Congress Party often accuses the BJP of violating the Constitution and protests against the BJP-led Government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
But, the political party which actually violated the Constitution is Congress," he said citing the Emergency of 1975 imposed by the Congress's then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
"The late Prime Minister (Indira Gandhi) misused Article 352 of the Indian Constitution and declared National Emergency in 1975 although the state of Emergency can only be declared under the provision of the same Article when there is a threat against the Nation either in external or internal aggression," he said.
The then PM had declared the Emergency due to political instability violating the Indian Constitution which was "beautifully" drafted by Dr BR Ambedkar, he added.
Dr RK Ranjan claimed that during the National Emergency period, around 1,40,000 citizens who revolted against it to save the Nation were imprisoned for 21 months.
The then BJP leaders, including late Atal Bihari Vajpayee and veteran leader LK Advani were also among those imprisoned, he said.
He also claimed that every newspaper and news broadcasting stations were completely censored and were used only as the "mouthpiece" of the regime, muffling the voice of the people during the Emergency.
The BJP is observing the day as Black Day to highlight how the country suffered and its citizens were traumatized during the Emergency period.
This observance also aims at averting such unfortunate incidents in the future, added the MP.