Emergency 'darkest chapter' in country's democratic history: BJP

New Delhi: Delhi BJP Friday organised a seminar to mark the anniversary of Emergency imposed in 1975 and felicitated 115 Loktantra Senanis (democracy warriors) who were imprisoned during the period.

Party functionaries described Emergency as the "darkest chapter" in the country’s democratic history.Held at NDMC’s Convention Centre, the event was attended by chief minister Rekha Gupta, former Union minister Smriti Irani, Union minister of state Harsh Malhotra, Delhi govt minister Ashish Sood, and MPs Manoj Tiwari, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and Bansuri Swaraj.Gupta said the observance of Samvidhan Hatya Diwas served as a reminder for future generations to ensure that "no leader ever dares to repeat such an act again".

Drawing a parallel with the burning of Ravana's effigy during Dussehra, she said the day symbolised the victory of truth over falsehood.CM also paid tribute to those jailed during Emergency, recalling that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee continued writing from prison and “became the voice of lakhs of democracy warriors”.Malhotra said the anniversary should be used not only to remember the excesses committed during Emergency but also to educate younger generations who did not witness the period about the mindset behind those actions. He said an independent judiciary, a free press, active civil society and aware citizens remained the strongest pillars of democracy.