Hyderabad, June 25 (IANS) Union Minister for Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy termed June 25, 1975 one of the darkest blots on Independent India’s history.

He said the Emergency imposed on this day suspended fundamental rights, silenced free speech, censored the Press, and saw political opponents, journalists, and activists jailed without trial.

The Central minister shared his thoughts on ‘X’ on the occasion of Emergency anniversary, which is being observed by the BJP as ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’.

“As we observe Samvidhan Hatya Diwas, we pay tribute to all those who courageously resisted authoritarianism and stood steadfast in defence of democracy and the Constitution. Their sacrifices ensured that the democratic spirit of India endured even in the face of unprecedented challenges,” said Kishan Reddy.

“Let us reaffirm our unwavering commitment to protecting constitutional values, strengthening democratic institutions, and safeguarding the freedoms that are the foundation of our Republic,” he added.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar stated driven by thirst for power, the Congress party orchestrated subversion of the Constitution.

“An undeclared dictatorship that trampled upon civil rights and shackled voices of dissent…A ruthless regime that clamped down heavily on Press freedom…The ‘Emergency’ imposed by the Congress—an act that held the soul of Mother India captive and made a mockery of democracy,” said the BJP leader.

He called for honouring the sacrifices of the heroes who laid down their lives to protect democracy, and striving to safeguard the Constitution.

Telangana BJP President, N. Ramchander Rao, recalled that during Emergency days, the forced sterilisation campaign saw government officials given quotas.

He posted on ‘X’ that in states like Uttar Pradesh, schoolteachers were threatened with having their salaries withheld unless they “motivated” a certain number of people to undergo sterilisation.

“During Emergency days, popular singer Kishore Kumar, whose songs topped the 1970s charts, had all his songs pulled off the airwaves for his refusal to sing at Geeton Bhari Shaam, a “musical extravaganza” organised by the Youth Congress to collect funds for Sanjay Gandhi’s sterilisation programme.”

The BJP leader also recalled that Justice Jagmohan Sinha, who authored the judgment disqualifying Indira Gandhi from the Prime Ministership, was hounded by the Congress MP of Prayagraj and was forced to disappear for ten days just to write his verdict.

“Even a special CID task force hunted for Justice Jagmohan Sinha’s judgment, threatening his secretary late at night. This is how the Congress used to pressurise institutions and today it shamelessly talks about Constitution,” he said.

–IANS

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