Emergency darkest hour of Indian democracy: V-P

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar was in Bihar on Tuesday and spoke on the memory of the Emergency, calling it the darkest chapter in the journey of Indian democracy.

- Arun Kumar

PATNA: Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar was in Bihar on Tuesday and spoke on the memory of the Emergency, calling it the darkest chapter in the journey of Indian democracy. Then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed had proclaimed a state of National Emergency on 25 June 1975 on the advice of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who cited internal and external threats to the country.

The Emergency remained in effect for 21 months from 25 June 1975 and ended on 21 March 1977. Legendary leader from Bihar, Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan, rose to immortal national prominence as he mobilised people against the "draconian governance" measures.

"The Constitution was murdered. At that time, it was Jayaprakash Narayan who lit the flame of democracy. The "Total Revolution" was not just a political movement — it was a call for national reawakening," he added.