Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The BJP organised seminars across the state on Wednesday on the completion of 50 years of the Emergency. In Bhopal, union minister CR Patil criticised the Congress and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for declaring the Emergency.
The Emergency is a black chapter in the history of Indian democracy, Patil said. The government had tried to trample everyone during that period, he said.
After the court cancelled the election of Indira Gandhi, following a petition of Raj Narain, she declared the Emergency to stay in power. Those who do not have faith in the Constitution walk with this sacred book in their hands, Patil said.
None of the BJP leaders took oath with the Constitution in their hands, but they work according to the Constitution, Patil said. Those who do not follow the Constitution only carry it, he said.
According to Patil, Indira Gandhi’s son was not holding any position, but he acted like a dictator. Patil further said during the Emergency the government tried to gag the press.
Many journalists were also put in jail, he said, adding that the Gandhi family did not want to give up power. Those who bore the brunt of the Emergency only knew how it was, he said.
BJP’s state unit president VD Sharma said the country got real freedom when the people fought against the Emergency.
BJP leader Tapan Bhowmick spoke about the torture meted out by the Congress during the Emergency when all the leaders of the Jan Sangh were jailed. In every district, BJP leaders put up their points about the Emergency.
