CM Bhajan Lal Sharma said that the Emergency imposed in the country on the midnight of 25th June 1975 is a black spot on our democratic history. During this time, the then government suppressed freedom of expression, freedom of the press and fundamental rights by enacting undemocratic laws like MISA and DIR. He said that democracy fighters suffered severe torture in jails to protect constitutional values and the struggle to save democracy is an unparalleled example.
CM Bhajan Lal Sharma was speaking at the Constitution Murder Day-2025 event, marking the 50th anniversary of the imposition of Emergency, a dark chapter in Indian democracy, at the Constitution Club on Wednesday. He said that during the period of Emergency, the then government kept about 1 lakh 40 thousand people in jail for several months in an undemocratic manner. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani were among those jailed. But these conscious sentinels of democracy, regardless of their lives, stood firm in their resolve and fiercely opposed the Emergency.
Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, India is the strongest democracy in the world.
CM Bhajan Lal Sharma said that in line with the spirit of democracy fighters, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has taken historic steps to strengthen democracy and Constitution in the country. The Prime Minister started the celebration of Constitution Day on 26th November and honoured the places associated with the life of Babasaheb Ambedkar by declaring them as Panchteerth. At the same time, the central government supported by us gave Bharat Ratna to Babasaheb. The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, today India is not only the world’s largest democracy but also the world’s strongest democracy.
Democracy fighters in Rajasthan are now getting uninterrupted pension, allowance-
CM Bhajan Lal Sharma said that the State Government is working with commitment for the welfare of democracy fighters. We have restored the Rajasthan Loktantra Senani Samman Nidhi. Now all the democracy fighters of the state are being provided a monthly pension of Rs 20,000 and a monthly medical assistance of Rs 4,000. He said that under the Rajasthan Loktantra Senani Samman Nidhi Act, such a provision has also been made that the Loktantra Senani Compensation will continue to be received without any interruption.
Fighters have sown the roots of democracy, the new generation should take inspiration –
The Chief Minister said that today he is feeling extremely happy and proud to be in the presence of democracy fighters. His sacrifice in nurturing and strengthening the roots of our democracy is an inspiration for all of us. The Chief Minister called upon the future generation to listen to the memories of their struggle and take inspiration from them. This will show the youth the price paid by democracy fighters for the rights and freedoms they enjoy.
Rajya Sabha MP Shri Madan Rathod said that the then government killed democracy by imposing Emergency to save power and violated the fundamental rights of the common people through constitutional amendments in an undemocratic manner. A law like MISA was brought in which the provision of indefinite arrest was kept.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister released a book ‘Loktantra Raksha Ki Kahani – Senaniyon Ki Zubani’ compiled from the memoirs of democracy fighters of the state. He also felicitated freedom fighters. Earlier, the Chief Minister visited the exhibition on 50 years of Emergency in the campus.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel, Rajya Sabha MP Ghanshyam Tiwari, MLA Gopal Sharma and other public representatives and democracy fighters were present on the occasion.