New Delhi, June 26: BJP leader Deepak Prakash has sharply criticized the Congress party for imposing the Emergency in 1975, labeling it a dark chapter in the history of Indian democracy and the Constitution. He stated that during the Emergency, democracy, the Constitution, and democratic institutions suffered severe damage. Prakash welcomed the NCERT’s decision to include chapters about the Emergency in school textbooks.
In an interview, Prakash remarked that while Congress today speaks of protecting democracy and the Constitution, it was the same Congress government that declared the Emergency on June 25, 1975, crushing democratic values. The spirit of the Constitution was weakened, civil rights were curtailed, and democracy was effectively murdered. Millions who raised their voices against the Emergency were imprisoned, and many democratic activists endured torture, with some sacrificing their lives to defend democratic rights. The Emergency remains a chapter in Indian democracy that will always be remembered in history.
Supporting the inclusion of the Emergency in NCERT’s new textbooks, Prakash emphasized the importance of familiarizing current and future generations with this significant period in the nation’s history. He stated that students must understand how democracy, the Constitution, and democratic institutions were impacted during Congress’s rule. The independence and dignity of democratic institutions like the judiciary, legislature, and executive were undermined during that time. The soul of these institutions was wounded, leading to excessive centralization of power.
Regarding Congress’s discomfort with NCERT’s decision, the BJP leader noted that it is natural for Congress to feel uneasy, as the Emergency is part of its governance history. He accused Congress of repeatedly attempting to undermine democratic processes and constitutional norms throughout its political history. The Shah Commission report, established after the Emergency, should also be made a subject of public discussion, as it contains significant facts related to the events and violations of civil rights during that period. The public has the right to know what happened to pro-democracy individuals and ordinary citizens during that time.
Prakash stressed the necessity of conveying these historical facts to the new generation, to raise awareness about the protection of democratic values and constitutional institutions in the future. He pointed out that Congress’s history is more associated with undermining democratic traditions rather than supporting them, which is why the party appears uncomfortable discussing Emergency-related issues. Including this chapter in the education system will provide students with crucial insights into significant events in Indian democracy’s history, helping them better understand the importance of the Constitution and democratic institutions.
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