Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut has stirred a debate by defending former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s decision to impose the Emergency fifty years ago in 1975. His comments come in response to the Indian government’s recent announcement declaring June 25 as “Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas” (Day of the Murder of Democracy) to mark the anniversary of the Emergency.
In an interview with news agency ANI, Raut expressed his views on the controversial historical event, asserting, “They (BJP) have no work left. It has been 50 years; people have forgotten the Emergency. Why was the Emergency imposed in this country? Some people want to spread anarchy.” Raut defended the necessity of the Emergency by stating, “An open announcement was made from Ramlila Maidan, telling our jawans and army not to follow the orders of the government… In such a situation, if Atal Bihari Vajpayee had been the Prime Minister, he would have also imposed it.”
Raut further justified the decision, citing national security concerns during that period. “It was a matter of national security. Some people were making bombs and exploding them at various places. Balasaheb Thackeray had openly supported the Emergency at that time, and the RSS had also supported it,” he added.
The Indian government’s move to officially designate June 25 as ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’ has been met with mixed reactions across political circles. Home Minister Amit Shah, explaining the decision, emphasized honoring the sacrifices of those who endured hardships during the Emergency era. “This day will honor the immense sacrifices of those who suffered during the 1975 Emergency,” Shah remarked on social media.
The debate over the Emergency continues to resonate in India’s political landscape, with differing opinions on its implications for democracy and governance. Raut’s defense of Indira Gandhi’s actions has sparked controversy, highlighting divergent historical interpretations and political perspectives on one of the most contentious chapters in India’s democratic history.
As discussions unfold, the anniversary of the Emergency serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding state authority, civil liberties, and the balance between security measures and democratic freedoms in a vibrant democracy like India.