PM Modi Recalls Emergency-Era Struggles Through New Book Release

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.

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.”

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.

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