Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced a book on Wednesday that documents his experiences during the Emergency period declared by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on June 25, 1975.
Titled The Emergency Diaries, the book marks 50 years since the imposition of the Emergency and offers a deeply personal look into PM Modi’s formative years as a young RSS Pracharak.
Published by BlueKraft Digital Foundation, the book includes firsthand accounts from PM Modi’s associates, anecdotes from that era, and archival materials that collectively offer insights into his early activism.
‘The Emergency Diaries’ chronicles my journey during the Emergency years. It brought back many memories from that time.
I call upon all those who remember those dark days of the Emergency or those whose families suffered during that time to share their experiences on social…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2025
According to BlueKraft, the work is a pioneering attempt at building new scholarship around PM Modi’s role in the anti-Emergency movement.
Learning amid crisis
Reflecting on the Emergency, PM Modi described the period as a ‘learning experience’ that deeply shaped his views on democracy and governance.
He posted on social media, “When the Emergency was imposed, I was a young RSS Pracharak. The anti-Emergency movement was a learning experience for me. It reaffirmed the vitality of preserving our democratic framework.”
When the Emergency was imposed, I was a young RSS Pracharak. The anti-Emergency movement was a learning experience for me. It reaffirmed the vitality of preserving our democratic framework. At the same time, I got to learn so much from people across the political spectrum. I am… https://t.co/nLY4Vb30Pu
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2025
The Prime Minister also credited the diverse people he encountered during the movement for broadening his political outlook.
He noted that interactions with individuals across party lines contributed significantly to his understanding of democratic values.
Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda penned the foreword of the book, drawing on his role as a prominent figure in the resistance against the Emergency.
The publishers describe the book as a tribute to those who refused to be silenced.
They highlight how the Emergency shaped PM Modi’s values of service, struggle, and perseverance during this pivotal chapter of Indian history.
Call for national reflection
PM Modi called on citizens, especially those who experienced the Emergency or whose families suffered during it, to share their stories on social media.
“It will create awareness among the youth of the shameful time from 1975 to 1977,” he said, encouraging intergenerational dialogue on civil liberties.
The PM Modi-led BJP continues to observe June 25 as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas (Constitution Killing Day), in contrast to the Congress’s official narrative.
The Emergency remains a potent political issue, symbolising the ideological divide between the BJP and the Congress.
The book’s release comes not only as a historical reflection but also as a reminder of the enduring importance of safeguarding democratic institutions in India.
Also Read: Gujarat Leads With India’s Largest School Education Reform Mission
To read more such news, download Bharat Express news apps
