How PM Modi attacked Congress on Emergency

Whether the Congress likes it or not, Emergency will always be known as the darkest period of independent India. In an event in Mumbai to mark the anniversary of Emergency, Prime Minister Modi led a scathing attack on the Congress for the imposition of Emergency 43 years ago.

"The day needs to be observed to re-dedicate oneself to protection of the Constitution and democracy," he said.

Curiously enough, the prime minister kept mentioning the Gandhis without actually mentioning their names, but merely addressing them as "these people" or "that family".

Here's what he had to say:

1) No one would have ever imagined that in the greed for power and love for the dynasty, those who had once spoken in favour of the Constitution and freedom would turn India into a jail. All this was done by undermining the Constitution, they changed the Constitution for the benefit of the family.

2) Every time the Congress and this [Gandhi] family fear that they are losing power, they start spreading lies about how this country is not doing well. How India is in deep problem and only we [Gandhis] can save the country.

3) The Congress party was led by Mahatma Gandhi and other freedom fighters, but they [Nehru-Gandhi family] destroyed their own party for the promotion of self-interest. It is only then that we realised they [Gandhis] can do anything for their own benefit.

4) The judiciary was threatened during the time of Emergency and no one was spared. Only those who remained obedient to the family flourished.This family has subverted the judiciary because of its greed for power. Now it can't digest the fact that charges have been framed against them [Gandhis] in the court and they were were forced to appear in court and to get bail. They must have thought how dare the court to do this to them and that's why threatened the judiciary with an impeachment motion. Their attitude towards institutions of this country reflects its [Congress’] mindset from the days of Emergency. The Constitution, the judiciary and democracy will not be safe under them.

5) Many elections have happened since Independence, parties have lost or won elections but have never raised questions over the Election Commission. But there was a time that from panchayat to Parliament, only one family used to rule. Now that they are down to 44 from 400, the Election Commission is being targeted.

6) After Emergency, elections were called because they wanted to remain in power "democratically" as their image in the international community was getting tarnished. They thought now that they have silenced the people and the Opposition, they will win easily. But the people taught them lesson.

7) How can we expect them to have respect for democracy when there's is no democracy within the party. It's an old tactic of the Congress creating fear that Modi will undermine the Constitution and do away with it.

But don’t forget it is us who started celebrating the Constitution Day.

8) For a moment, forget what Rajiv Gandhi did with the media... but the media which keeps attacking us on every small issue was made to crawl when they were asked to bend during Emergency.

Also read: Why lampooning Indira Gandhi and Emergency is not enough to uphold democracy