Salient Points of BJP National Spokesperson & MP Dr. Sambit Patra’s Press Conference
Chanting slogans of “Samvidhan Bachao” and holding the copy of the Constitution does not safeguard it, true protection stems from genuine respect and honor for its principles
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In 1975, emergency was declared in the country due to Indira Gandhi's pursuit of power, and today, the Congress-led alliance is wavering due to Rahul Gandhi's similar pursuit of power
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During the current session of the 18th Lok Sabha, Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla proposed a motion condemning the Emergency. In his proposal, Shri Om Birla shed light on the hardships and challenges faced during that period
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When the Emergency was imposed in India, even Indira Gandhi's cabinet was surprised because they were not informed about it
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During the Emergency, Indira Gandhi had stated that the Constitution does not provide any fundamental framework
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Rahul Gandhi also acknowledges that his family has made mistakes, but he is currently in a conflicted situation due to his thirst for power
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Amendments to the MISA law undermined natural justice. About 140,000 people were jailed, with nearly 22 custodial deaths reported
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Lok Sabha Speaker was elected democratically and Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji emphasized working collaboratively with the cabinet. In contrast, 50 years ago, Indira Gandhi imposed an emergency without Cabinet approval
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Bharatiya Janata Party National Spokesperson and MP Dr. Sambit Patra addressed a press conference at the party’s headquarters in New Delhi, on Wednesday. During the conference, Dr. Patra criticized the Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during her tenure, highlighting its imposition without Cabinet approval, which led to the imprisonment of 104,000 people and violations of fundamental rights. He also targeted Rahul Gandhi for using the Constitution symbolically in the name of justice.
Dr. Patra stated that today, June 26th, is an important and historic day. Fifty years ago, on this day, every citizen of India woke up and found out that Indira Gandhi had declared an emergency in the country. The irony is that on this 26th, the 18th Lok Sabha is in session and Shri Om Birla has been re-elected as Speaker through a democratic process. While such matters usually see a consensus, Shri Birla became the Speaker again through a democratic procedure. After being elected, he asked Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji to introduce his council of ministers. Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji did the same and then the Hon’ble Speaker spoke about the Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The date, June 26th, marks a significant coincidence between the cabinet's circumstances fifty years ago and today. When the Emergency was imposed in India, even Indira Gandhi's cabinet was surprised because they were not informed about it.
National Spokesperson Dr. Patra emphasized that around midnight between the 25th and 26th, Indira Gandhi, without her cabinet's consent, sent a letter to the President and got his signature. The next day, a cabinet meeting was held and post facto, that resolution was adopted. Dr. Patra pointed out that while on one hand, today the Speaker is democratically elected in the House and Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji discusses significance of the collaboration of cabinet. On the other hand, fifty years ago today, Indira Gandhi imposed an emergency on the nation without her Cabinet's consent. This parliamentary process today serves as a lesson for everyone.
Dr. Patra highlighted that Shri Om Birla proposed a censure motion, during which he brought to light all the challenges and difficulties faced during the Emergency. Shri Birla reminded everyone how the amendments to the MISA law disrupted natural justice and resulted in thousands of people being jailed. During the Emergency, 104,000 people were imprisoned and around 22 custodial deaths occurred. Among those jailed were well-known figures like Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Shri L.K. Advani and members of the Jana Sangh. Additionally, Charan Singh, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Devi Lal, M. Karunanidhi, M.K. Stalin, Sharad Yadav and T.R. Baalu were also imprisoned during the Emergency.
National Spokesperson Dr. Patra stated about the scene in Parliament as Shri Om Birla introduced a resolution criticizing the Emergency. Congress members immediately stood up, decrying the motion as undemocratic. Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav were seated next to each other, with TR Baalu positioned between them. Rahul Gandhi appeared conflicted, torn between supporting his colleagues who were causing ruckus in Parliament and TR Baalu, who had been jailed by Rahul Gandhi's grandmother, Indira Gandhi, during the Emergency. This illustrated the complex dynamics present in today's Parliament, even within the INDI alliance.
Dr. Patra further noted that such situations arise when injustice is supported while attempting to appear just. The Congress party attempted to portray itself as champions of justice, holding the copy of Constitution aloft and chanting slogans of “Samvidhan Bachao”. Rahul Gandhi should understand that merely holding the Constitution does not protect it, true protection comes from genuine respect and honor for its principles.
BJP National Spokesperson Dr. Patra highlighted that 38th, 39th, 40th, 41st and42nd amendments were made to the Constitution during the Emergency. The 42nd Amendment was the worst amendment ever made to the Indian Constitution, as it stripped the Supreme Court of all its powers. The Supreme Court could no longer review any actions against the fundamental rights of citizens. Additionally, it could not hear electoral petitions against the Prime Minister, President or Vice President. Press freedom was severely undermined. The amendment abolished the Quorum system, which allowed any member to propose changes to the Constitution if they desired, significantly altering the legislative process.
Dr. Patra further pointed out that during the Emergency, Indira Gandhi famously dismissed the concept of the basic structure of the Constitution, which safeguards fundamental rights and principles. She asserted that it was a mere invention and could be disregarded. This viewpoint was reflected in the 42nd Amendment, which aimed to undermine the foundational integrity of India's Constitution.
BJP National Spokesperson Dr. Patra observed the irony in today's Parliament, where those who had once championed the Constitution and chanted slogans of ‘Samvidhan Bachaao’, appeared perplexed today. Members of the Samajwadi Party and TMC, among others, notably withheld their support. This situation underscored the complex and evolving dynamics within the legislative body.
Dr. Patra remarked that Shri Om Birla had expressed a compassionate gesture towards families of those who had endured imprisonment for India's freedom during various struggles. The Hon'ble Speaker mentioned that members would stand in silence for two minutes and offer prayers for those families. Despite this, Congress members continued their uproar and slogans in the well of the house. Meanwhile, members of the Samajwadi Party, TMC and DMK stood silently, prompting even Rahul Gandhi to stand in uncertainty, reflecting a hunger for power.
BJP National Spokesperson Dr. Patra noted that this hunger for power was evident historically as well, citing Indira Gandhi's decision to impose the Emergency in 1975 following her defeat in the Allahabad High Court over corrupt electoral practices in 1975. This hunger for power continues to unsettle the Gandhi family within the INDI Alliance today, despite Rahul Gandhi's awareness of his grandmother's actions, highlighting ongoing uncertainties about the pursuit and exercise of power.
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