Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma
Assam’s government honored people who fought the Emergency imposed by then-prime minister Indira Gandhi in 1975 on Sunday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma lamented the fact that the president, who signed the edict, and the then-Congress national chief were both from the state.
Additionally, he claimed that the opposition’s political leaders, the media, lawyers, and other groups in society had ensured that no regime can ever think of imposing such restrictions again.
Sarma was speaking at a ceremony to honor 300 ‘Loktantra senanis’ and their families. “The order was signed by an Assamese president. It was the first time our state had given the nation its president, yet the decree for Emergency was signed with his hand”, Sarma stated, referring to the country’s then-President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed.
On this day in 1975, the then-Congress government led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency.
CM said, “Then-all India Congress Committee president Debakanta Baruah, another Assamese, whose ‘India is Indira and Indira is India’ speech is legendary”.
“While the Emergency was a dark period in the country’s history, the warriors of democracy battled it so hard and steadfastly that no dictatorship will ever consider imposing such limitations again”, said Sarma.
Taking a shot at the Congress leadership, the BJP official stated that the magnificent old party that spearheaded the Independence movement under Mahatma Gandhi has turned into a family-centric one since Indira Gandhi’s tenure.
He argued that her decision to impose the Emergency was merely motivated by her desire to retain power.
Sarma praised the work of opposition leaders, media, activists, and other groups in resisting the Emergency, and said his government has decided to acknowledge the sacrifices made by citizens from the state during that time.
“Our cabinet had decided to recognize the contribution of ‘fighters for democracy. In the event of the death of the persons affected, we shall provide a monthly pension of Rs 15,000 to those ‘Loktantra senanis’ who are still living, or to their wives or unmarried daughters. Ninety-one people meet such pension criteria”, Sarma added.
The list of 300 names was compiled using documents indicating imprisonment for more than 15 days in connection with cases of resistance to the Emergency.
Sarma further stated that if any deserving individuals are left off the government list, their names will be added subsequently.
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