"An undeclared emergency for past 11 years": Congress' Jairam Ramesh slams BJP

New Delhi [India], June 25 (ANI): Congress leader and party's General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday alleged that for past eleven years, India has been under undeclared emergency, stating "Over the past 11 years and 30 days, India democracy has been under a systematic and dangerous five-fold assault that can be best described as "Undeclared Emergency@11". These remarks come as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) observes the 50th anniversary of the Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, as the 'Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas'.

The Congress leader accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of multiple things, including attacking the Constitution, weakening the Parliament, eroding the autonomy of Constitutional bodies, damaging the judiciary, intimidating businesses, controlling the media, destroying federalism, misusing investigative agencies and cracking down on civil liberties.

Wednesday marks the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, imposed at midnight on June 25, 1975. To mark this dark chapter in the country's history, the Centre has designated the day as ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas,’ to be observed annually. 

Remembering the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the Congress leader said that while the BJP looked to change the constitution, the people voted to preserve it. 

“During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Prime Minister sought a Char Sau Paar mandate for a new Constitution and to betray Dr Ambedkar’s legacy. The people of India denied him that mandate. They voted for preserving, protecting, and further promoting economic, social, and political justice enshrined in the existing Constitution,” he said in an official statement. 

The party’s General Secretary also slammed the Centre for the arbitrary suspension of MPs, highlighting it as an example of “shredding of parliamentary norms.”

“The Modi government has consistently shredded parliamentary norms. MPs have been arbitrarily suspended merely for raising issues of public concern. The government has refused to discuss critical national issues. Key legislations are bulldozed through. Parliamentary committees have been by-passed,” his statement read. 

Claiming that the autonomy of constitutional bodies is being taken away, the party leader said that the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has become “irrelevant” while the Election Commission has been “severely compromised.”

“Serious questions about the integrity of the assembly elections in some states have been ignored. Poll timings and phases are tailored to benefit the ruling party. The Commission has remained silent in the face of divisive rhetoric from the Prime Minister and senior BJP leaders.”

Similarly with the investigative agency, Congress’ General Secretary said that many agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate, Central Investigative agency and Income Tax Department have been sent to “harass and defame leaders of various opposition parties.”

Meanwhile on the attacks on judiciary, the party’s Rajya Sabha MP said, “There has been a definite policy of quiet threats to the judiciary, primarily through delayed elevations, punitive transfers, post-retirement sinecures for pliant judges, and selective implementation of collegium recommendations.”

The Congress MP also slammed the BJP for controlling the media by putting pressure on news outlets and arresting, raiding journalists, adding that “Owners are pressured to hire government-friendly journalists, and government advertising and permits are used as tools to control editorial content.” While on eroding centre-state relations, he accused the BJP of trying to topple Opposition-ruled states and trying to buy legislators. 

On 25 June 1975, then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed issued the Emergency Proclamation under Article 352, citing threats from internal disturbance. The Emergency was declared against a backdrop of mounting political unrest and judicial developments that shook the legitimacy of the ruling leadership. (ANI)