Emergency Was a Sin, Cannot Be Forgotten, Says CM Sharma

Rajasthan chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Congress party, saying that the country was forced to endure the Emergency 50 years ago just to protect power and position.

- Dinesh Bothra

JODHPUR: Rajasthan chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Congress party, saying that the country was forced to endure the Emergency 50 years ago just to protect power and position.

Referring to former CM Ashok Gehlot, Sharma questioned how he could now suggest that the BJP should forget the Emergency—a time when the Constitution was throttled, citizens were crushed, and democracy activists were jailed and tortured inhumanely. "That period cannot be forgotten for generations," he said.

Sharma was speaking at the main event organised to observe 'Constitution Murder Day', marking the anniversary of the Emergency.

Sharma said the Emergency witnessed extreme cruelty—people were imprisoned simply for chanting "Bharat Mata Ki Jai," and their families were left helpless. Some of those jailed lost family members but were not allowed to perform their last rites.