Latest news with #SacrificeDay
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Emergency's 50th anniversary sparks political face-off in Raj
1 2 Jaipur/Jhunjhunu/Jodhpur: The 50th anniversary of the Emergency sparked intense political debates across Rajasthan, with ruling BJP and opposition Congress trading sharp accusations over the historical event and ongoing development projects Wednesday. Chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, addressing the Democracy Fighter Honour Ceremony at Maheshwari Public School in Jaipur, termed the Emergency a "dark stain on our democratic history." Sharma accused the Congress of harming national interests through "appeasement, nepotism and corrupt politics in its lust for power." Deputy chief minister Diya Kumari, speaking at BJP's 'Sacrifice Day' event in Sikar, shared a personal connection to the period, revealing that her father, late Brig Bhawani Singh, a Mahavir Chakra awardee, was imprisoned during the Emergency. Former CM Ashok Gehlot, however, defended the Emergency, stating it "was the need of the time." Speaking in Jodhpur, Gehlot reminded that Congress had faced consequences of imposing Emergency but subsequently won the general elections with a significant majority under Indira Gandhi's leadership. Gehlot dismissed BJP's attempts to leverage the Emergency issue for political gain. PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra added another dimension to the debate, claiming that RSS man Balasaheb had actually supported the Emergency, and pointed out that Kumari's father had contested Lok Sabha elections on a Congress ticket. The political discourse extended beyond the Emergency, with Dotasra alleging an "undeclared emergency" under the current Modi govt. He also questioned the BJP govt's progress on various infrastructure projects, including the Fatehpur Road bypass and Nawalgarh Road railway bridge. On the other hand, Deputy CM Kumari highlighted developments in Jhunjhunu, including the Shekhawati Havelis, Khatu Shyamji Corridor and Jhunjhunu War Museum projects, with the central govt allocating Rs 87 crore for the Khatu Shyamji project. Congress, however, accused the BJP of taking credit for initiatives started during their previous tenure at the govt. The day saw multiple events across the state, including a seminar titled "The Dark Chapter of Indian Democracy - Constitution Murder Day - 2025" at the Constitution Club, marking five decades since the Emergency's imposition.
The Hindu
25-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Emergency was a dark chapter in India's democracy, says BJP Andhra Pradesh spokesperson
Describing the imposition of Emergency on June 25, 1975, as one of the darkest chapters in India's democratic history, BJP Andhra Pradesh official spokesperson Sadineni Yamini Sharma launched a scathing attack on the Congress party. In a statement on Wednesday, Ms. Yamini Sharma said that June 25, 1975, was a day when democratic principles were thrown to the wind by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who imposed Emergency in a desperate bid to cling to power after the Allahabad High Court invalidated her election as an MP. Overnight, civil liberties were suspended, thousands of political leaders and activists were jailed, and the press was gagged under brutal censorship. More than 250 journalists were imprisoned, and over 100,000 Satyagrahis were arrested during that period. Calling for June 25 to be observed as 'Sacrifice Day', she said, 'This is not just about remembering the past, but about staying alert to ensure that such dictatorial tendencies never return. The sacrifices of youth, journalists, and opposition leaders gave India back its democracy.' She also criticised the Nehru-Gandhi family, accusing them of continuously undermining India's democratic fabric.
The Hindu
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP president J.P. Nadda pays tribute to Syama Prasad Mookerjee
Bharatiya Janata Party president and Union Minister J.P. Nadda on Monday paid tribute to Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his 72nd death anniversary, which was observed as 'Balidan Diwas'. The BJP chief said the Bharatiya Jana Sangh founding president 'made the supreme sacrifice while opposing Articles 370 and 35A, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir'. Mr. Nadda said 'Balidan Diwas' (Sacrifice Day) events were being held by the party workers across the country. 'Dr. Mookerjee passed away under mysterious circumstances in Srinagar jail. Even his mother had demanded an inquiry into his death, but the appeal was ignored by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A under the decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a historic step and a true tribute to Dr. Mookerjee's vision and sacrifice,' he said. 'Born in Bengal, Dr. Mookerjee played a pivotal role in India's Independence and in shaping the identity of today's India. His contribution was especially crucial in ensuring that regions like West Bengal, Punjab, and Assam became and remained integral parts of the nation,' he added. A party release said 'Dr. Mookerjee was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University at the age of just 33'. 'He later entered the Legislative Assembly and served United Bengal. After Independence, Dr. Mookerjee became a Minister in Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's first cabinet. However, ideological differences and his Opposition to Nehru's appeasement policies led him to resign from the post. He went on to establish the Bharatiya Jana Sangh and was one of its founding members,' said a party release. The BJP chief said that after the political party's founding, 'Dr. Mookerjee had vehemently opposed the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir... and gave the slogan Ek desh mein do nishan, do vidhan, aur do pradhan nahi chalenge [Two symbols, two Constitutions, and two heads will not work in one country]' and launched a movement against it. 'At that time, entry into Jammu and Kashmir required a special permit. Defying this rule, Dr. Mookerjee set out for the State on May 11 without seeking permission. He was arrested at the border and imprisoned in Srinagar. Tragically, on June 23, 1953, exactly 72 years ago, Dr. Mookerjee lost his life under mysterious circumstances in custody...,' he said. The BJP chief said: 'Every BJP karyakarta [worker] feels immense pride that on August 6, 2019, under the decisive leadership and resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the strategic execution by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Article 370 was finally abolished in Parliament...'
