Democratic ethos won against Emergency: PM
People did not lose faith in democracy despite the draconian measures during the Emergency, Modi said
NEW DELHI: India’s democratic ethos prevailed over the internal Emergency imposed in the country in 1975, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his monthly radio broadcast, praising those who resisted the move.
“The democratic values ingrained in us since centuries, the spirit of democracy that flows in our veins, ultimately triumphed through the democratic process. People of India got rid of the Emergency and restored democracy,” Modi said in the 90th edition of Mann ki Baat.
“There is no other example in the world to such victory over dictatorship through the democratic process. I was fortunate to be a witness as well as a participant in the struggle of our countrymen during the Emergency.”
People did not lose their faith in democracy despite the draconian measures during the Emergency, the Prime Minister said. The country’s courts, every constitutional institution and even the free press was brought under state control, and censorship was so stringent that nothing could be published without approval, he said.
He remembered the public opposition of legendary singer Kishore Kumar to the Emergency. “I remember when famous singer Kishore Kumar refused to praise the government, he was banned,” he said. “He was not allowed on radio.” Modi exhorted citizens not to forget the dark days of the Emergency. “Today, when the country is celebrating 75 years of Independence, we must not forget the dark period of Emergency. The future generations also must not forget it,” he said. “Amrit Mahotsav not only tells us stories of Independence from foreign rule, but also tells us the journey of 75 years of Independence. We move ahead only by learning from every important juncture in our history.”
Today, India’s youth are ready to touch the sky, the Prime Minister said, highlighting the big strides made by Indians in the space sector.
“During one’s childhood, stories of the moon and stars in the sky attracted everyone. For the youth, touching the sky is synonymous with making dreams come true. Today, when our India is touching the sky of success in so many fields, how can the skies, or space, remain untouched by it!” he said.