In a heated parliamentary session, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla invoked the “dark period” of the Emergency imposed in 1975, prompting a wave of protests and slogans from the opposition. During the discussion on the 48th anniversary of the Emergency, Birla condemned the suppression of democratic freedoms and emphasized the importance of safeguarding India’s democratic values.
Source:- BBC news
The Emergency, declared by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, is often criticized for curbing civil liberties, censoring the press, and imprisoning political opponents. Birla’s remarks were seen by the opposition as a targeted political commentary, particularly against the Congress party, which was in power during the Emergency.
Source:- india today
Opposition members, led by the Congress, vociferously protested, arguing that the focus should be on current issues rather than revisiting past grievances. They accused the ruling party of deflecting attention from pressing concerns like economic challenges and social issues.
Despite the uproar, Birla defended his comments, stating that remembering the Emergency serves as a crucial reminder of the need to protect democratic institutions. He urged all political factions to learn from history to avoid repeating past mistakes and to work together to uphold the democratic framework of the nation.
The session underscored the deep-rooted political divisions in Indian politics, reflecting ongoing tensions between the ruling party and the opposition.
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