Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Chief and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav recently shared his reflections on the Emergency imposed by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975. In a post on X, he recalled the harsh conditions and the imprisonment of many leaders, but noted that Gandhi never resorted to personal abuse.
Lalu Prasad Yadav shared an article titled “The Sangh Silence in 1975,” co-authored with journalist Nalin Verma, where they criticised the current BJP-led government. They highlighted the importance of remembering past challenges to democracy while condemning those who undermine the Opposition today.
Reflecting on his role as the convener of the steering committee formed by Jayaprakash Narayan to oppose the Emergency, Lalu Prasad Yadav recounted his imprisonment under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) for over 15 months. He pointed out that many current BJP leaders, including PM Modi and JP Nadda, were not part of the discourse at that time.
“Indira Gandhi put many of us behind bars, but she never abused us. Neither she nor her ministers called us ‘anti-national’ or ‘unpatriotic’,” Lalu Prasad Yadav wrote. He emphasized that the dark days of 1975 should not overshadow the current government’s treatment of the Opposition.
Also Read: ‘1975 Emergency was biggest attack on Constitution’: President Droupadi Murmu
Marking the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, President Droupadi Murmu also addressed the Parliament, condemning it as a “dark chapter” in India’s history. She highlighted the resilience of the nation against unconstitutional actions during that period.
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In response, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge accused Prime Minister Modi of using the President’s address to spread falsehoods. He asserted that the Indian public had already rejected these claims in the 2024 elections, labeling the speech as an attempt to gain cheap applause.
The remarks have sparked reactions from leaders across the political spectrum, underlining the ongoing debate over the legacy of the Emergency and its relevance in today’s political landscape.
