Madhya Pradesh Minister Demands Apology from Nehru Family Over Emergency

Madhya Pradesh minister Vishwas Sarang has raised sharp allegations against the Congress, accusing its leaders of undermining democracy and the Constitution by implementing the Emergency 50 years ago. Speaking on the 50th anniversary of this controversial period, Sarang asserted that the Nehru family should publicly apologize for these "sins".

The BJP, currently in power, is marking the anniversary as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas'. The Emergency, which started on June 25, 1975, lasted for 21 months. During this period, civil liberties were curtailed, opposition leaders were imprisoned, and press freedom was severely restricted.

Sarang pointedly criticized Indira Gandhi, accusing her of "tearing apart" India's democracy and Constitution due to her "lust for power". This period has been described by him as the "darkest chapter in the history of India", where the former Prime Minister aimed to suppress dissent by incarcerating her opponents.

Sarang further alleged that Jawaharlal Nehru, a former Prime Minister and senior Congress leader, had insulted Dr. BR Ambedkar and conspired to prevent him from entering the Lok Sabha. "History has witnessed Nehru's actions," Sarang charged, insisting that the Nehru family owes a public apology for the imposition of Emergency.

He highlighted how Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP government have consistently revered Ambedkar, even turning Ambedkar’s birthplace and workplace into sites of pilgrimage. Sarang reiterated that the Nehru family should acknowledge their past mistakes concerning the Emergency.