Kohima: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Nagaland on Friday marked “Black Days of Emergency” with a programme at its state headquarters in Kohima to commemorate the Emergency imposed in India from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977.
Addressing the gathering, Thomas Magh, State President of the BJP ST Morcha, said that while emergency provisions exist within a democratic framework, they should be invoked only in the larger public interest and never in a manner that curtails the rights and freedoms of citizens.
Speaking on the significance of the observance, Magh described the Emergency declared during the tenure of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as one of the most debated periods in India’s democratic history. He said the period was marked by restrictions on civil liberties, concentration of power and the weakening of democratic institutions.
Magh said the observance served as an opportunity to reflect on the importance of safeguarding democratic values and constitutional principles while ensuring that governance remains people-centric.
Referring to the political context of the period, he claimed that instead of addressing issues such as unemployment, inflation, food shortages and other social challenges, the government resorted to extraordinary measures.
He said remembering the Emergency was important to ensure that future generations remain committed to protecting democratic institutions, freedom of expression and constitutional governance. He also said public office should be used to uphold the values enshrined in the Constitution rather than for personal or political interests.
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The programme was chaired by Vizhalie Sanchu, Secretary of the BJP Kohima district unit. O. Atila Phom, State Vice-President and convenor of the event, delivered the welcome address, while Shilukaba Longchar, State Secretary, gave the concluding remarks.
The event was attended by Wanphong Konyak, Chairman of Bio-Resources, Government of Nagaland, along with BJP state office-bearers, leaders of party morchas, members of the Kohima district unit and the party’s IT Cell.
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