Agartala, June 25 (AHN) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday said that every effort must be made to ensure that the dark days of the Emergency imposed in 1975 never return, and stressed that future generations and the youth must be made aware of what he described as one of the darkest chapters in the history of Indian democracy.

Addressing a programme organised by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the occasion of 'Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas' in Agartala, the Chief Minister said that the Emergency had created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty across the country, and people lived under constant apprehension during that period.

He recalled his personal experiences during the Emergency period and said that those who witnessed those days would understand the extent of the fear and restrictions that prevailed across the country.

Saha said that an emergency was declared in the country in 1975, and at that time, he, along with a few others from Tripura, had to stay at Allahabad Railway Station for three days while travelling to Howrah. He added that later, after spending a few days in Kolkata, they returned to Agartala, and only those who were mature enough to understand the situation at that time can truly realise what the Emergency meant.

The Chief Minister recalled that Sukhomoy Sengupta was the Chief Minister of Tripura during that period and said that an atmosphere of fear prevailed throughout the state. He added that there was such a climate of panic that nobody knew when they might be arrested or sent to jail, and he is aware of almost all the events that took place during that period and still vividly remembers those days.

During his speech, Saha said that India's democratic system rests on four pillars and asserted that the Emergency remains a black chapter in the country's democratic history. He said the Emergency was a dark chapter in the history of Indian democracy, and they observe this day so that such a situation never returns.

He added that the BJP has been observing June 25 every year as a black day in the history of Indian democracy and marks it as Kala Diwas or Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas across the country.

The Chief Minister said that after Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014, efforts were initiated to ensure that people do not forget the events associated with the Emergency and that such a situation never recurs in the country.

He said for this reason, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced in 2024 that June 25 would be officially observed as Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas.

Criticising the then Congress government, Saha alleged that the Emergency was imposed primarily to protect the political position of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He said that, generally, there are three forms of Emergency provided under the Constitution: National Emergency, Constitutional Emergency, and Financial Emergency.

Under Article 352 of the Constitution, an Emergency may be declared in situations involving war, external aggression, armed rebellion, or threats to national security. He added that such provisions were invoked during wars with Pakistan and China.

The Chief Minister further alleged that during that period Article 356 was repeatedly used to dismiss elected state governments and impose President's Rule in several states.

Referring to the significance of the day, Saha said that the younger generation must be informed about the Emergency and its impact on democratic institutions, which is why this day is being observed. He added that future generations and the youth must know about this dark chapter in the country's democratic history.

The Chief Minister strongly criticised the role of the then Congress government and said the party had undermined democratic values during the Emergency.

He said he would ask party workers to make more and more people aware of this dark chapter of the Emergency, and added that it is inappropriate for the Congress to speak about democracy because it was the Congress that destroyed the democratic fabric of the country during that period.

He said this day should be observed every year, and they must remain committed to preserving and strengthening democracy.

The programme was attended by BJP state president Abhishek Debroy, party vice-president Tapas Bhattacharya, RSS Pracharak Piyush Kanti Bhattacharya, BJP vice-president Papiya Dutta, Social Welfare and Social Education Minister Tinku Roy, BJP state General Secretary Bipin Debbarma, Sadar Urban district president Asim Bhattacharya, along with other public representatives, party leaders and workers.