Samajwadi Party Leaders Recall 'Undeclared Emergency' on 50th Anniversary

Samajwadi Party leaders marked the 50th anniversary of the Emergency by asserting that an 'undeclared emergency' persists today, echoing the censorship and political oppression of the past. Senior leader Rajendra Chaudhary pointed out a chilling similarity to the situation faced decades ago, highlighting the curtailment of free speech.

Chaudhary contended that true political freedom remains absent, with the ideals of the freedom movement overlooked. Recollecting the Emergency as a 'second freedom struggle,' he remarked on the severe press censorship and the stifled environment, emphasizing his personal experiences as a political activist during that time.

The Central government's decision to observe June 25 as 'Samvidhan Hatya Divas' was met with criticism from Samajwadi Party leaders, who announced their plans to mark 'Samvidhan Raksha Divas.' Ravidas Mehrotra, recalling the imprisonment of leaders like himself, accused the past government of murdering democracy.

(With inputs from agencies.)