Patna, June 25, 2025: As the NDA government observes June 25 as “Black day” to mark the anniversary of the emergency imposed in 1975, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar strongly criticized the congress regime, calling the emergency a “symbol of dictatorship” and a dark chapter in India’s democratic journey.
Taking to social media platform X, Nitish Kumar wrote: “We all remember that day of 25 June 1975, when emergency was imposed in the country. It is called a black day in the history of independent India. The emergency of 1975 was a symbol of the dictatorship of the then government. During the emergency, the freedom of expression of the people was banned.”
Nitish Kumar and other opposition leaders served jail terms during the emergency:
Recalling his participation in the resistance movement led by Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan, Nitish Kumar said:
“Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan started a movement against the emergency. I also participated in this movement along with many of my colleagues and actively opposed the emergency. All of us were jailed for raising our voices against the dictatorship. But the countrymen showed unity and courage. We fought untidily.”
Reaffirming the importance of democratic values, Nitish Kumar stressed the duty of every citizen to uphold the principles enshrined in the Constitution.
“The voice of the people is at the core of democracy. It is our responsibility to protect it in every situation. Bihar has always made the spirit of Constitution, Justice, freedom, and social justice the path of its development.”
Background: The 1975 emergency:
The emergency was imposed on June 25, 1975, by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, citing internal disturbances. It lasted for 21 months and was lifted in March 1977.
During this period, civil liberties were suspended, the press was censored, and thousands of political opponents were imprisoned.
The movement against the emergency was led by Jayprakash Narayan, a prominent socialist leader and native of Sitab Diara in Bihar’s Saran district.
His call for Sampoorn Kranti (Total Revolution) became a rallying cry for opposition forces, ultimately leading to the defeat of the congress government in the 1977 general elections.
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EOM.