DIMAPUR, JUNE 26 (MExN): The BJP Nagaland today issued a statement marking the “dark days of emergency” which lasted from June 25, 1975 to March 21, 1977. The Emergency was imposed by the then Congress Government in India under the Prime Ministerialship of Indira Gandhi.
“Without warning at the advice and behest of the then PM of India, Indira Gandhi, the then President of India Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed under Article 352 of the Constitution declared a state of emergency in India on June 25, 1975. The prevailing internal disturbance, such as the Navnirman Andolan in Gujarat, the Jayaprakash Narayan Movement (JP Movement) in Bihar, the Railway Protest all over India and the Raj Narain Verdict are the factor for the imposition of the state of Emergency,” a press release from the BJP Nagaland stated.
It said that the order bestowed upon the Prime Minister the authority to “rule by decree” allowing elections to be cancelled and civil liberties to be suspended. “The period from June 25, 1975 to March 21, 1977 is remembered and regarded as the dark phase in Independent India's history because this period was marked by a government crackdown on civil rights & liberties, frequent human rights restrictions and violation, freedom of speech was curtailed, press and media being censored to a repressive extend,” it stated.
The BJP further made mention of the “forced mass sterilization campaign for population control spearhead by Sanjay Gandhi and the witness of the systematic destruction of institution.” It said that during the Emergency period, hundreds of political leaders, opposition leaders, activists, trade unionists and citizens “those who opposed the Congress rule under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was arrested and imprisoned or sent to detention centers.”
“Many of our Bharatiya Janata Party erstwhile Bharatiya Jana Sangh Leaders were hunted down by the authoritarianism government and confined under political detention censoring their fundamental rights and freedom as enshrined in the Constitution of India,” the BJP said.
Observing the 47th anniversary of the “dark days of Emergency in India,” the BJP said that it remembers and pay homage to the “unsung heroes for their ultimate sacrifice in restoring peace and democracy back to the nation.”
BJP Peren holds executive meet
Meanwhile, the BJP Peren District held an executive meeting at Jalukie Town on June 24 in the presence of Basu Damani, Vice President, BJP Nagaland State and Peren District in Charge.
Damani felicitated the grassroots workers and booth level committee as the backbone of the party. He asked the party workers to dedicate their time for the party and say that the Government of India is very keen and sensitive and ready to work together with the states of the Northeast. He also assured that any appointment or selection of any district or state office bearers without the knowledge of district authority would not be accepted and that would be highlighted to higher up.
Tarie Zeliang, ex MLA and special invitee meanwhile highlighted how he joined the BJP. Zeliang assured that he would work together with the party in the long run and contest from a BJP ticket if allotted to him.
N Henry Zeliang, State Executive Member encouraged all karyakartas to work hand in hand for the prosperity of the party.
The meeting was attended by N Henry Zeliang, State Executive Member; Tarie Zeliang, ex MLA and Special invitee; Melandialiu Zeliang, State Secretary, Mahila Morcha; the district office bearers and executives, Morchas and both the mandal office bearers and karyakartas.
The meeting was chaired by Pakithinbou Newmai, General Secretary, ST morcha. Welcome address cum presidential speech was delivered by Huzantadbo Meriam, District president. Vote of thank was pronounced by Alumlie Guing, State Executive Member. National Anthem was sung by all the participants karyakartas and benediction was done by Heidaile, Executive Member District Mahila Morcha.
