To mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975, BJP District Jammu observed “Black Day” at its headquarters in Kachi Chawni. The programme aimed to highlight what party leaders called a “dark chapter in India’s democratic history.”
The event was organized under the leadership of District President Adv. Rajesh Gupta and featured a special exhibition depicting the suppression of civil liberties and democratic rights during the 21-month Emergency period.
Sunil Sharma, J&K BJP General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition in the J&K Assembly, was the chief speaker. He was joined by BJP Vice President and MLA Yudhvir Sethi, Secretary and MLA Arvind Gupta, Headquarters Incharge Priya Sethi, and Chief Spokesperson Adv. Sunil Sethi.
Speaking at the event, Sharma strongly condemned the Emergency, ‘calling it a period when the Congress “trampled upon democracy” and betrayed the Constitution’.
“Over one lakh political workers were jailed, tortured, and silenced. The same Congress now claims to protect the Constitution it once destroyed,” he said, adding that today’s India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is governed by transparency and democratic principles.
Yudhvir Sethi stated that the Emergency was a direct attack on the rights of every citizen.
“Those who speak of saving democracy today had once dismantled it for power. BJP is committed to educating the new generation about these truths,” he said.
MLA Arvind Gupta termed the Emergency not just a political disaster but a humanitarian tragedy. “From forced sterilizations to custodial torture, the period was marked by extreme violations of human rights,” he said.
Priya Sethi said the Congress betrayed the people’s trust. “They turned governance into tyranny. It is BJP’s responsibility to ensure such days are never repeated in India’s history,” she added.
Adv. Sunil Sethi called the observance a symbol of resolve. “This is a reminder that we must protect democracy at all costs.”
The event also saw the felicitation of individuals who faced atrocities during the Emergency, in recognition of their courage and sacrifices.
Several senior leaders were in attendance, including BJP Secretary Anju Dogra, former Jammu Mayor Rajinder Sharma, District Prabhari Rajiv Charak, Protocol Secretary Sanjay Khanna, Puneet Mahajan, and members of the district and mandal teams.
Meanwhile, a similar programme was held in Billawar under BJP District Basohli, where former Deputy Mayor Baldev Singh Billawaria addressed party workers and reiterated the BJP’s commitment to preserving democratic values.(KINS)
