Will Karnataka BJP Launch a Public Awareness Campaign Against the 'Emergency'?

Bengaluru, June 19 (NationPress) The Karnataka BJP revealed on Thursday its plans to initiate a public awareness campaign from June 22 to June 30, focusing on the imposition of the Emergency in India by the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from 1975 to 1977.

This campaign is organized in partnership with the BJP, Citizens for Social Justice, legal associations, and various civil society organizations.

During a press conference, BJP leaders unveiled posters pertaining to the Emergency period.

Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda is set to inaugurate the awareness campaign meeting on June 24, which will be presided over by former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa.

At a joint press meet at the BJP state office in Bengaluru, BJP’s former National General Secretary and current MLC, C.T. Ravi, remarked, “June 25 marks the 50th anniversary since the declaration of the ‘Emergency’ in India. The awareness initiative will span various districts from June 22 to June 30.”

“This initiative is designed to ensure that such an Emergency is never imposed again and to educate the public on how the Congress party turned authoritarian, anti-Constitution, and anti-democratic,” he added.

A public campaign against the ‘Emergency’ will be launched on June 24 at 4.30 pm at Bengaluru’s Town Hall by former PM Gowda.

MLC Ravi further indicated that former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, who faced arrest under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) during the Emergency, will lead the event.

Notable columnist and journalist, S. Gurumurthy from Tamil Nadu, who significantly contributed to raising awareness against the ‘Emergency’, will deliver the keynote speech.

Ravi stated that individuals arrested under the MISA during the Emergency will be honored, with their experiences documented. A dialogue between youth and former MISA detainees will be arranged, alongside an awareness march.

Those detained under the MISA provisions during the ‘Emergency’ will also revisit the prisons where they were held. The campaign aims to promote understanding of constitutional values, as emphasized by MLC Ravi.

BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra, Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi, Shobha Karandlaje, V. Somanna, Hardeep Singh Puri, Opposition Leaders R. Ashoka, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, former Chief Ministers D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Jagadish Shettar, Basavaraj Bommai, and party in-charge Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, along with National Spokesperson Guruprakash Paswan and other senior members, will travel to various districts to raise awareness about the Emergency.

“During Indira Gandhi’s rule, an authoritarian regime dominated, and the Constitution was effectively placed in jeopardy. Democracy was obliterated, human rights were suppressed, and the freedom of the press—our fourth pillar—was heavily restricted,” he asserted.

“Even questioning arrests became inconceivable. The then Attorney General even stated that one had no right to question even if someone was killed,” Ravi expressed.

He noted that during the Emergency, the Constitution was modified arbitrarily and without discussion.

“The preamble was altered. For 21 months, human rights were ruthlessly suppressed. The Allahabad High Court had declared Indira Gandhi’s election invalid, and to circumvent that judgment, the Constitution was amended to enforce dictatorship. These actions were taken by the Congress under Indira Gandhi to protect their political interests, obscure illegalities, and maintain power,” Ravi criticized.

“The fight against the Emergency was, in reality, India’s second freedom movement,” he asserted.

He highlighted that the movement was spearheaded by freedom fighter Jayaprakash Narayan, with leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L.K. Advani, George Fernandes, and in Karnataka, H.D. Deve Gowda, B.S. Yediyurappa, P.G.R. Sindhia, and senior RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale among the countless individuals who relentlessly fought during that period.

Ravi added that Congress leaders from that era—now holding high positions, such as AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge—were sycophants at the time, extolling Indira Gandhi with slogans like ‘India is Indira, Indira is India.’

Responsibilities have been allocated district-wise, and an exhibition will be held to showcase the dark memories of the Emergency, which he characterized as the “black era of Independent India.”