External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has openly criticized the Congress party for its role in the 1975 Emergency, during a speech at a Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha event. He accused the Congress of prioritizing one family’s interests over the nation’s welfare. The Emergency, which lasted from 1975 to 1977, is often regarded as a controversial period in India’s history, marked by the suspension of civil liberties and press censorship. Jaishankar’s remarks were part of a broader critique of the Congress party’s historical decisions, suggesting that such actions were detrimental to India’s democratic fabric.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also weighed in on the issue, describing the Emergency as the “darkest chapter” in India’s democratic journey. His comments reflect a long-standing criticism by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of the Congress’s governance during that period. The Emergency was declared by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, citing internal disturbances, but it has been widely criticized for its authoritarian measures.

Jaishankar’s reference to ‘Kissa Kursi Ka,’ a satirical film banned during the Emergency, underscores his point about censorship and political suppression during that time. The film, which mocked political power struggles, became symbolic of the era’s restrictions on freedom of expression.

The BJP has consistently used the Emergency as a political tool to highlight what it perceives as Congress’s undemocratic tendencies. By revisiting this historical event, Jaishankar and Modi aim to reinforce their narrative of safeguarding democracy against authoritarianism. This discourse is particularly relevant as India continues to grapple with its democratic principles and governance challenges.