Lalu Prasad Reflects on Emergency: ‘Indira Gandhi Never Abused Us’

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad reminisced about the 1975-77 Emergency, noting that while then prime minister Indira Gandhi imprisoned many opposition leaders, she never abused them. Sharing his article “The Sangh Silence in 1975” on social media, Prasad highlighted his role in the anti-Emergency movement and criticized current leaders for their treatment of the opposition.

“I was the convener of the steering committee led by Jayaprakash Narayan against the Emergency. I spent over 15 months in jail under MISA,” Prasad wrote. He pointed out the absence of current BJP leaders, including Modi and J.P. Nadda, in the movement at that time.

Prasad emphasized that although Indira Gandhi jailed many, she never labeled them “anti-national” or “unpatriotic.” He contrasted this with the current political climate, stating, “1975 is a stain on our democracy, but let’s not forget who doesn’t respect the Opposition in 2024.”

The Emergency, imposed by Indira Gandhi on June 25, 1975, and lifted on March 21, 1977, led to her electoral defeat and the rise of the Janata Party government. However, the alliance collapsed in 1979, and Congress returned to power in the subsequent general elections. Indira Gandhi served as prime minister until her assassination in 1984.

I was the convener of the steering committee that Jayaprakash Narayan—had constituted to carry forward the movement against the excesses of Emergency imposed by the then PM Indira Gandhi. I was in jail under the Maintenance of Security Act (MISA) for over 15 months. My colleagues… pic.twitter.com/9fyThckm01

— Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) June 29, 2024