Lucknow, Jun 25 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday accused the Congress of “strangling democracy” during the Emergency and said its imposition was not merely an assault on India’s democracy, but a direct attack on the dreams of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar.
Addressing a function in Lucknow organised on the 51st anniversary of the Emergency, observed as ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’, Adityanath said the country is remembering “that dark chapter” in its democratic history.
“Today, the entire country is remembering that dark chapter of June 25, 1975, when, for its vested political ambitions, the Congress strangled democracy in this country,” he said.
The chief minister alleged that then prime minister Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency to remain in power and avoid the consequences of a court order.
“To atone for her political sin, she attempted to snatch away the rights of Dalits, deprived sections, backward classes, women and every adult voter of this country — rights that Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar had ensured for every citizen without discrimination. This sin of the Congress was not merely an assault on India’s democracy; it was a direct attack on the dreams of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar,” he said.
Adityanath said voices raised in support of democracy were suppressed during the Emergency.
Questioning the necessity of imposing the Emergency, he said, “When we arrive at the conclusion, only one conclusion emerges — the Congress committed this sin only to retain power. To conceal this sin, it tried to suppress the voices of the youth, political workers and various social and cultural organisations.”
The chief minister alleged that democratic institutions were weakened during the period.
In a veiled attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Adityanath said, “The Congress’ prince today carries copies of the Constitution and tries to throw dust in the eyes of the people. Look at this double standard. When they got the opportunity, what did their ancestors do? How did they trample upon the soul of the Constitution framed by Babasaheb Ambedkar? This is hidden from no one.”
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had repeatedly reminded citizens about the Emergency so that future generations remained aware of what had happened.
Adityanath said observing June 25 as ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’ is necessary to ensure younger generations do not forget the events of the Emergency.
“It is necessary to expose before the people the double standards of those who roam around carrying copies of the Constitution and trying to mislead the public,” he said.
Taking a swipe at the Samajwadi Party, he said, “Whenever the Samajwadi Party attempted to forge an alliance with the Congress, late Mulayam Singh Yadav opposed it. He used to say that anything could happen, but there should be no alliance with the Congress. But what are his successors doing today? They are ready to sink Mulayam Singh’s legacy by boarding the Congress’ sinking ship.”
The chief minister said democratic traditions existed in Indian villages and communities long before many parts of the world became familiar with democratic governance.
“When Prime Minister Modi announced free testing, free treatment, free vaccines and free ration facilities for citizens during the pandemic and ensured their effective implementation, he demonstrated the strength of democracy and our accountability towards the people,” he said.
He said the principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” strengthened democracy by ensuring that every eligible citizen, irrespective of caste, faith, religion, region or language, received the benefits of government schemes.
“Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, strengthening democracy means recognising that people are everything. Democracy means government of the people, by the people and for the people. The ultimate objective is to connect the person sitting at the last rung of society with the benefits of government schemes,” Adityanath said.
