PM Modi Slams 1975 Emergency: A 'Black Spot' on Democracy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the 1975 Emergency as a 'black spot' on democracy. The 21-month period saw a significant crackdown on civil liberties under then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, following the voiding of her election by the courts. Gandhi's drastic measures included mass arrests and censorship.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday criticized the 1975 Emergency, famously referring to it as a ''black spot'' on democracy. He highlighted that during the 21-month duration, the Constitution was ''discarded'' as then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi mounted severe restrictions on civil liberties.

Modi's remarks rekindle memories of the period when Indira Gandhi, after a broadcast on All India Radio on June 25, 1975, initiated a substantial crackdown on opposition leaders. Notably, the apex court had granted a conditional stay on the Allahabad High Court's judgment that had declared Gandhi's election inoperative.

Prime Minister Gandhi's decision paved the way for widespread censorship, mass detentions, and forced sterilizations, events which remain etched in the annals of India's political history. Modi's comments serve as a poignant reminder of the fragile nature of democratic rights and the significant ambiance under emergency rule.