Yogi Adityanath Criticizes Congress Over 1975 Emergency
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath criticized the Congress party for its actions during the 1975 Emergency, calling it authoritarian and dictatorial. He praised Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for condemning the Emergency and emphasized the importance of informing the public about Congress’s past actions against democracy.
Yogi Adityanath’s Statements
Speaking at his official residence, Yogi Adityanath expressed gratitude to Speaker Om Birla for reading a censure motion against the Emergency. He stated, “Even though faces may have changed in Congress today, its character remains authoritarian and dictatorial.”
Yogi added, “This was an attempt to murder the country’s democracy. It is essential to inform the public about this dark deed of the Congress. The current leadership of Congress continues to mislead the country in the name of the Constitution and promises to end reservations.”
Om Birla’s Address
Earlier, Om Birla condemned the Congress-led government’s decision to impose an emergency in 1975. The house observed a two-minute silence for those who lost their lives during the period. Birla said, “This House strongly condemns the decision to impose Emergency in 1975. Along with this, we appreciate the determination of all those people who opposed the Emergency, fought and fulfilled the responsibility of protecting the democracy of India.”
He added, “On this day, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed an Emergency in the country and attacked the Constitution made by Baba Saheb Ambedkar. India is known all over the world as the mother of democracy. Democratic values and debate have always been supported in India. Democratic values have always been protected, they have always been encouraged. Dictatorship was imposed on such an India by Indira Gandhi. The democratic values of India were crushed and freedom of expression was strangled.”
Opposition’s Reaction
During Birla’s speech, opposition parties continued to protest, chanting “Stop Dictatorship.” The Lok Sabha was adjourned until June 27.
Om Birla’s Election as Speaker
Om Birla, an MP from Kota, was elected as the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha. The motion for his election was moved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and seconded by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The house adopted the motion through a voice vote.
