Congress Contested: Reflecting on 50 Years Since India's Emergency

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has urged the Congress to apologize to the nation for the imposition of Emergency in 1975, branding it a period of dictatorship thrust upon India. He stressed the significance of educating the youth on this somber chapter in Indian history, often described as one of its darkest periods.

Sarma detailed that June 25th marks the day when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared an emergency, leading to media censorship, rampant arrests without trial, and the suppression of dissent. Speaking at an event commemorating the 50th anniversary, Sarma criticized the Congress for the authoritarian past and alleged that its mindset still persists.

The chief minister paid tribute to Lok Nayak Jay Prakash Narayan and others who resisted the emergency, and emphasized the sacrifices made by those who stood firm in defense of the Constitution. He further noted the need for constant vigilance to prevent such dark times from recurring in India.

(With inputs from agencies.)