Constitution Destroyers Now Pretending to be Protectors: Bhardwaj
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Shimla, June 25, 2024 – In a press conference, Suresh Bhardwaj, former BJP state president and ex-minister, lambasted the Congress party for its historical misuse of power and recent attempts to pose as defenders of the Constitution. Bhardwaj called the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi in 1975 the darkest chapter in Indian history, which the public has not forgotten.
He remarked that the Congress party’s lust for power has been evident since 1975. “The Congress has a history of using unconstitutional methods to maintain its power, as seen during the Emergency,” he said. “The strategies of Congress and its allies still pose as much of a threat to our democracy as they did in 1975.” Bhardwaj described the period from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977, as a time of extreme oppression and the murder of democracy.
During the Emergency, Indira Gandhi’s election was invalidated by the Allahabad High Court due to corrupt practices. To cling to power, Gandhi forced the President to sign the Emergency declaration on the night of June 25, 1975, without informing the Cabinet. It was only on the morning of June 26 that the Cabinet was informed. Key opposition leaders, including Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Rajnath Singh, and JP Narayan, were immediately jailed. In total, 1.4 lakh people were arrested, with 22 deaths occurring in custody.
Bhardwaj criticized the Congress for its severe press censorship and media oppression. On the morning of June 25, power was cut in parts of Delhi to halt newspaper publication. Newspapers were banned from covering parliamentary proceedings and Supreme Court activities related to Indira Gandhi’s election case.
He detailed the negative impact of the Emergency on the Constitution and legal system. Congress amended laws to prevent courts from applying natural justice principles in detention cases and repealed acts that protected media freedom. The 38th Constitutional Amendment barred judicial review of Emergency declarations, ordinances issued by the President/Governors, and laws infringing on fundamental rights. The 39th Amendment prevented the Supreme Court from hearing election petitions against the Prime Minister, President, and Vice-President, effectively protecting Indira Gandhi’s position.
The press conference was attended by media in-charge Karn Nanda, co-incharge Pyar Singh Kanwar, Rama Thakur, Digvijay, Ajay Sharma, Rajesh Sharda, and Deepak.
