SRINAGAR, JUNE 25: Senior BJP leader and Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Ghulam Ali Khatana, today addressed a press conference at the BJP Headquarters in Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar, to mark Emergency Day—observed annually on 25th June as a solemn reminder of a dark chapter in India’s democratic history.
During the press briefing, Ghulam Ali Khatana recalled the imposition of the Emergency in 1975 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, which lasted for 21 months and saw a blatant suspension of civil liberties, press freedom, and democratic rights. He termed it the “blackest period in independent India” and paid tribute to all those who resisted authoritarian rule and sacrificed their freedom to uphold the Constitution and democratic values. “The Emergency was a direct attack on the soul of our democracy. It is our duty to remind the new generations of this betrayal of constitutional governance,” he said. “Today, we rededicate ourselves to safeguarding the rights and freedoms of our citizens, as envisioned by our Constitution makers.”
MP Khatana emphasized the role of the BJP as the true guardian of democracy, tracing its ideological roots to the Jana Sangh, which played a leading role in resisting the Emergency. He lauded the sacrifices made by thousands of party workers, social activists, and opposition leaders who were jailed, tortured, and silenced during this period. He further added that the observance of Emergency Day is not just an act of remembrance, but also a warning against any future attempts to undermine democracy.