Emergency darkest period of Indian history: Dhankhar

Muzaffarpur (Bihar), Jun 24 (PTI) Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday said the nearly two-year-long Emergency was the "darkest period of Indian history", the "barbarity" of which has caused the date of its proclamation being observed as the 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas'.

He made the remarks in the north Bihar town of Muzaffarpur, where he was speaking as the chief guest at the foundation day celebrations of L N Mishra College of Management.

"The date June 25, falling tomorrow, was a black day (kaala diwas) 50 years ago. Democratic values had been trampled upon under the dark shadow of the Emergency... It has been decided to observe June 25 as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' (the day on which democracy was murdered). Boys and girls, that is an occasion for you to know about the barbarity committed during Emergency, the darkest period of Indian history," he said.

"The mass awakening that brought about a change began in Bihar, with the call of 'Sampoorn Kranti' (total revolution) given by Jay Prakash Narayan. I feel delighted to have set my foot on this land," the Vice President said.

Notably, Narayan, a legendary socialist leader who had withdrawn from active politics and devoted himself to social work, launched a students' movement in the 1970s which culminated in the formation of the Janata Party, after the Emergency was lifted, and overthrow of the Congress government headed by Indira Gandhi in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.

Dhankhar also spoke about the contribution made by Bihar in the movement for 'samajik nyay' (social justice) and remarked, "It was my fortune (saubhagya) that I was a Union minister when the recommendations of Mandal Commission were implemented." "And it was my great fortune (param saubhagya) that I was the Vice President of the country and the chairman of the Rajya Sabha when Karpoori Thakur was given the Bharat Ratna," he added.

Thakur, a former chief minister of Bihar and an OBC icon, is remembered for having implemented the Mungeri Lal Commission report, as a result of which reservation benefits were extended to socially and economically backward classes.

Known for never mincing his words, Dhankhar lauded the Narendra Modi government at the Centre for setting "high standards (shreshth maapdand)" while carrying out military operations against Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack.

"A lesson was effectively taught to those who were in need. And today nobody seeks a proof. All proof has been given by the enemy himself," quipped Dhankhar, in an oblique reference to the stance of the opposition after the Balakot airstrikes of 2019.

Calling late Rajendra Prasad "aapke sapoot” (a son of your soil), Dhankhar showered encomiums on the first President for having shown the resolve to inaugurate the Somnath temple "despite objections of some people".

The allusion was to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru having reportedly disapproved of Prasad, who as the President was the head of the state, taking part in a function that was religious in nature.

Dhankhar also recalled Prasad's tenure as the chairman of the Constituent Assembly, which "demonstrated dialogue, debate, discussion, deliberation, without any disturbance or disruption".

"Along with Babasaheb Ambedkar, Rajendra Prasad set high benchmarks of constitutional legacy. As Rajya Sabha chairman, I am ever grateful to these great people of history, who always show us the light we need to follow," said the Vice President.

"The legacy of Rajendra Prasad is being carried forward by the first tribal woman President of this country, Droupadi Murmu," he added. PTI NAC ACD