Bhopal, June 26 (IANS) In a heartfelt tribute to the men and women who fought to protect democracy during the 1975 Emergency, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has announced a comprehensive welfare and “honour package” for “democracy fighters” and their families.

Under the Chief Minister’s Tirtha Darshan Yojana, a special train will be arranged for the “democracy fighters” to undertake pilgrimages.

The state government will also provide two days of free stay at government rest houses.

In memory of deceased democracy fighters, inscriptions will be installed, and public buildings, parks, and roads near their villages, towns, or cities will be named after them, the Chief Minister said while addressing a gathering of “democracy fighters” in Bhopal on Friday.

The state government will now fully bear the medical treatment expenses of all democracy fighters.

Serious patients will be provided free service of “PMshree Air Ambulance” to shift them to higher medical centres.

Every democracy fighter will be honoured with a copper plate.

If they change their residence, they will be allowed to change their linked bank branch for receiving the “Samman Nidhi” pension.

In all government offices, democracy fighters will receive high-priority attention, respect, and their suggestions will be duly considered.

Chief Minister Yadav said that just as freedom fighters sacrificed their lives for the nation’s independence, democracy fighters endured immense hardships to safeguard democracy during the dark days of the Emergency.

Had they not shown courage and determination, India would not have become the strong and vibrant democracy it is today, he said.

Yadav added that the rise of leaders from ordinary families, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to the highest positions has been made possible by the sacrifices of the “democracy fighters.”

Today India is the world’s largest democracy, he said, adding that while a new country, Pakistan, was born alongside India at independence, its democracy is in chaos.

“We must set a global example of ‘of the people, by the people, for the people’,” he emphasised.

Recalling personal history, the Chief Minister revealed that his own father remained imprisoned for 19 months during the Emergency.

He described how thousands were jailed, subjected to torture, and pressured to join the ruling party.

This announcement is being widely welcomed as a long-overdue recognition of those who risked everything to preserve constitutional values and democratic traditions in India.

–IANS

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