Reflecting on the Emergency: An Era of Curtailed Civil Liberties

In a scathing critique, former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has labeled the 1975 Emergency imposed by the Congress government as a 'draconian measure'. He insists the Congress Party owes the nation an apology for curtailing civil liberties during that era.

Naidu, who served as a student union leader during the period, shared his experiences in an exclusive PTI interview, revealing how he spent nearly 18 months in prison for opposing the government's actions. Naidu recalled the oppressive environment, including the censorship of newspapers under the amended Press Council Act.

As India marks the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, the Ministry of Culture plans to commemorate the period with a year-long series of events. Naidu emphasizes the necessity of remembering this 'darkest period' in India's democratic history, urging public acknowledgment of past mistakes by the Congress.

(With inputs from agencies.)