Rajya Sabha Chairperson Reflects on the Dark Period of Emergency

Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar addressed new MPs and described the Emergency period in India as a 'painful, dark' time. He emphasized the significant impact it had on the Constitution and the incarceration of leaders. Dhankhar praised Parliament's performance despite that period.

Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday referred to the Emergency period in India as a 'painful, dark' chapter while addressing new MPs at an orientation programme.

Highlighting the severity of the time, Dhankhar said, 'There has been only one painful, heart-wrenching dark period and that was when Emergency was declared.' He noted that the Constitution was significantly compromised and leaders were imprisoned during this period, with the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) becoming a symbol of oppression.

Dhankhar also touched upon how this period influenced leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav, who named his child Misa in response to the atrocities. He praised Parliament for its performance since then, contributing to national growth despite the dark times.