Lucknow: On the 50th anniversary of the Emergency imposed on the night of June 25-26, 1975, Samajwadi Party President and former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav strongly condemned the historic suppression of democracy, calling it the darkest chapter in India’s political history. In a detailed statement and through multiple initiatives, Yadav reaffirmed his party’s commitment to safeguard the Constitution, civil liberties, and democratic institutions under increasing threat today.
“The Emergency suspended fundamental rights and crippled constitutional bodies. Just as socialists led the freedom movement, they also fought bravely to restore democracy,” Yadav said. He paid tribute to leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan, Morarji Desai, Chaudhary Charan Singh, Chandrashekhar, Raj Narain, Madhu Limaye, and Mulayam Singh Yadav, who were imprisoned for raising their voices against authoritarian rule.
Yadav drew parallels between the Emergency era and current political conditions, stating that civil liberties are once again under siege. “Constitutional values are being eroded, federalism is under attack, and governance is driven by brute power symbolised by the BJP’s bulldozer politics,” he added.
He also accused the BJP of manipulating history, spreading misinformation about its role during the Emergency, and attempting to rewrite the legacy of India’s democratic struggle. “It is critical to educate the new generation about the real heroes of democracy,” he said, advocating for a sustained public awareness campaign.
Highlighting achievements during his own tenure as Chief Minister (2012–2017), Yadav mentioned the establishment of the Jayaprakash Narayan Interpretation Centre (JPNIC), which offers an audio-visual experience of JP’s life and his fight to restore democracy. He criticised the BJP for shutting down this monument out of political malice, even locking it on JP’s birth anniversary. “Despite official hurdles, I jumped the gate and garlanded JP’s statue. That’s how much the struggle means to us,” Yadav recalled.
During the Samajwadi Party’s government, Emergency-era democracy fighters were honored, thanks to the efforts of then Cabinet Minister Rajendra Chaudhary, a former political prisoner himself. Under the Uttar Pradesh Loktantra Senani Samman Adhiniyam (2016), those jailed during the Emergency were offered:
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Free bus travel in UP Transport with an attendant
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Free medical treatment
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State-sponsored funeral with honors
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Pensions for dependents
Currently, these heroes receive ₹20,000 per month as honorarium.
Chaudhary’s personal account also resonated deeply. He attended JP’s historic June 25, 1975 rally in Delhi, and later led underground protests through the publication ‘Pratirodh’, which was banned shortly after launch. He was arrested with a dozen colleagues and sent to jail in handcuffs—despite having fought an Assembly election and completed his law degree.
Asserting Akhilesh Yadav’s relevance in present-day politics, the Samajwadi Party underlined his bold stance against rising authoritarianism and the erosion of constitutional norms. The party has actively resisted attempts to weaken the Constitution drafted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, especially before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when amendments and neglect of democratic norms came under scrutiny.
Yadav launched the ‘Samvidhan Manastambh’ (Constitution Pillar) initiative, placing these symbols of constitutional respect in all district offices of the party, starting from Lucknow. This programme will see further expansion on July 26, 2025, as a continuing reminder of the people’s constitutional rights.
Yadav also emphasized Uttar Pradesh’s pivotal role in resisting the Emergency, where the leadership faced brutal repression. “History has chosen UP again to lead the fight for democracy. And the Samajwadi Party, India’s third-largest political force, will be at the forefront,” he declared.
As democracy faces new-age threats masked in governance, the Samajwadi Party, under Akhilesh Yadav’s leadership, aims to stand as a bulwark—preserving liberty, diversity, and justice for all.
