Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla condemns Emergency period, calls it 'black chapter' in history of India

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla terming June 25, 1975, as a "black chapter" in the history of India, condemned the Congress-led government's decision to impose an Emergency stating that the move by the grand old party "attacked the Constitution".

Birla, in his address to the house, also hailed the individuals who opposed the Emergency and fought to safeguard the democracy of India.

"This House strongly condemns the decision to impose Emergency in 1975. Along with this, we appreciate the determination of all those people who opposed the Emergency, fought and fulfilled the responsibility of protecting the democracy of India. 25th June 1975 will always be known as a black chapter in the history of India," Birla said.

"On this day, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed an Emergency in the country and attacked the Constitution made by Baba Saheb Ambedkar. India is known all over the world as the mother of democracy. Democratic values and debate have always been supported in India. Democratic values have always been protected, they have always been encouraged. Dictatorship was imposed on such an India by Indira Gandhi. The democratic values of India were crushed and freedom of expression was strangled," he added.

The house also maintained a two-minute silence for the ones who lost their lives during this period.

PM Modi lauds Birla for condemning Emergency in Lok Sabha address

Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked Birla for condemning the Emergency imposed by the then PM Indira Gandhi stating that the happenings during that period "exemplified what a dictatorship looks like".

I am glad that the Honourable Speaker strongly condemned the Emergency, highlighted the excesses committed during that time and also mentioned the manner in which democracy was strangled. It was also a wonderful gesture to stand in silence in honour of all those who suffered… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 26, 2024

Taking to his official X account, PM Modi wrote, "I am glad that the Honourable Speaker strongly condemned the Emergency, highlighted the excesses committed during that time and also mentioned how democracy was strangled. It was also a wonderful gesture to stand in silence in honour of all those who suffered during those days."

"The Emergency was imposed 50 years ago but today's youth needs to know about it because it remains a fitting example of what happens when the Constitution is trampled over, public opinion is stifled and institutions are destroyed. The happenings during the Emergency exemplified what a dictatorship looks like," PM Modi added.

Demanding an apology from the Congress party, the NDA leaders staged a demonstration in the Parliament premises to mark the 50th anniversary of the emergency.

(With inputs from agencies)