Emergency is the greatest assault on Indian democracy, says Bihar BJP president Sanjay Saraogi

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Bihar State president Sanjay Saraogi on Wednesday (June 24, 2025) said that the Emergency imposed on June 25, 1975, remains the darkest chapter in the history of Indian democracy. He said that the decision of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi represented a grave misuse of Article 352 of the Constitution, resulting in the suspension of fundamental rights and the suppression of democratic freedoms.

He added that the press censorship, political arrests, and authoritarian governance plunged the nation into an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. Mr. Saraogi pointed out that the strongest and most organised resistance to the Emergency emerged from Bihar.

“Under the leadership of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan, the ‘Total Revolution’ movement inspired a nationwide awakening and provided a new direction to Indian politics. From Patna to the farthest corners of Bihar, students, youth, and social activists united in a historic struggle against authoritarianism, energising democratic forces across the country,” Mr. Saraogi told the press in Patna.

The Bihar BJP president noted that several eminent leaders and dedicated workers played extraordinary roles during the anti-Emergency movement. He added that late George Fernandes led the resistance while being underground, while Jananayak Karpoori Thakur remained actively engaged in the fight to protect democratic values.

“Thousands of workers associated with the Jana Sangh and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) endured imprisonment and hardships, yet remained unwavering in their commitment to democracy. At a time when most opposition leaders were impriosoned, volunteers of the RSS, Bharatiya Jana Sangh, and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) continued to operate underground, ensuring that the spirit of democracy remained alive and resilient throughout the nation,” Mr. Saraogi said. 

He asserted that the BJP is the ideological heir to the democratic struggle that emerged from the anti-Emergency movement. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP remains fully committed to safeguarding democracy, constitutional values, and the rights of citizens, he added. 

Mr. Saraogi recalled that in the historic 1977 general elections, the people of Bihar delivered a decisive verdict against authoritarian rule and played a pivotal role in restoring democracy in India. He briefed that the legacy of that struggle continues to inspire BJP workers and democracy-loving citizens across the country.

He urged citizens to never forget the horrors of the Emergency and to educate future generations about the sacrifices made to protect India’s democratic framework.

He called upon all citizens to reaffirm their commitment to democratic values, constitutional governance, and national interest, while ensuring that the eternal flame of democracy continues to shine brightly for generations to come.