PM Modi Releases ‘The Emergency Diaries’, Calls 1975 Era a ‘Dark Stain on Democracy’

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 25th June: Marking the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday unveiled The Emergency Diaries, a new book documenting his experiences during one of India’s darkest chapters in post-independence history. Presented by the BlueKraft Digital Foundation, the book is based on first-person accounts, archival material, and testimonies of those who worked alongside the then young RSS Pracharak Modi.

Sharing the announcement on X, the Prime Minister said, “The Emergency Diaries chronicles my journey during the Emergency years. It brought back many memories from that time.” He urged citizens, particularly those who experienced the Emergency or whose families suffered, to share their accounts on social media to raise awareness among India’s youth.

‘The Emergency Diaries’ chronicles my journey during the Emergency years. It brought back many memories from that time.

I call upon all those who remember those dark days of the Emergency or those whose families suffered during that time to share their experiences on social…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2025

“When the Emergency was imposed, I was a young RSS Pracharak. The anti-Emergency movement was a learning experience for me. It reaffirmed the vitality of preserving our democratic framework,” Modi wrote, reflecting on the period between June 1975 and March 1977, when fundamental rights were suspended, press freedom suppressed, and thousands jailed.

The book’s foreword has been penned by former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, himself a prominent figure in the resistance against the Emergency. According to BlueKraft, the book offers “a vivid picture of Narendra Modi fighting for the ideals of democracy” and presents rare insight into the early trials that shaped one of India’s most influential contemporary leaders.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to officially launch the book this evening.

In a separate post, PM Modi referred to June 25 as Samvidhan Hatya Divas (Constitutional Murder Day), describing how the then Congress-led government “placed democracy under arrest.”

“On this day, the values enshrined in the Indian Constitution were set aside, fundamental rights were suspended, press freedom extinguished, and several political leaders, social workers, students and ordinary citizens were jailed,” he stated. He called the 42nd Constitutional Amendment “a prime example” of the then regime’s authoritarian tendencies.

The Prime Minister paid tribute to those who fought to restore democracy. “These were people from diverse ideologies and walks of life who came together to protect India’s democratic fabric. Their efforts ensured the restoration of democracy and led to the resounding defeat of the Congress government in the 1977 elections,” he said.

Reaffirming his government’s commitment to constitutional values and inclusive development, PM Modi added, “We also reiterate our commitment to strengthening the principles in our Constitution and working together to realise our vision of a Viksit Bharat.”

The Emergency, declared by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on June 25, 1975, lasted 21 months. During this time, civil liberties were curtailed, media censorship was imposed, and opposition voices were crushed. The move, widely criticised as authoritarian, changed the political landscape of the country and continues to be a defining moment in India’s democratic journey.