Chandigarh, June 25, 2025: On the occasion marking 50 years since the imposition of the Emergency in India on June 25, 1975, Hon’ble Governor of Haryana, Shri Bandaru Dattatraya, issued a poignant reflection on one of the most turbulent chapters in India’s democratic journey.
Recalling it as “the darkest day in the history of independent India,” Governor Shri Dattatraya underlined the widespread curtailment of civil liberties and democratic rights during the 21-month period of Emergency.
He emphasized that the move to suspend democracy was triggered by the political unrest following the Allahabad High Court’s verdict invalidating then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s 1971 election due to electoral malpractice. The decision sparked nationwide protests and mass mobilizations led by stalwarts like Jayaprakash Narayan.
In his statement, Governor Shri Dattatraya highlighted the severe economic hardships and political repression of the time. “Over one lakh citizens were detained under preventive detention laws like MISA and DIR. The press was muzzled, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was banned, and voices of dissent – be it political leaders, journalists, or students – were silenced,” he noted.
Hon’ble Governor Shri Dattatraya, who was then an RSS Pracharak in the Nizamabad and Adilabad region (then Andhra Pradesh, now Telangana), recounted his personal experiences of resisting the Emergency. “To evade arrest, I changed my name to Dharmendra and went underground, donning western clothes. Along with other volunteers, I distributed underground bulletins to inform citizens and support families of detained leaders,” he recalled.
Despite efforts to remain anonymous, he was eventually arrested in Bellampally and jailed under MISA at Chanchalguda Central Jail in Hyderabad. There, he shared space with individuals from varied ideological backgrounds – from future Union Ministers to activists and even Naxalites. “There was a silent camaraderie among all of us imprisoned unjustly. Our unity came from our common commitment to restoring democracy,” he said.
One memory that continues to inspire him was the optimism sparked by the 1977 election results. “The announcement that Mrs. Indira Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi were trailing was a turning point. The air in the jail was electric with hope,” he recounted, as he remembered his fellow inmate Advocate Raja Bose’s rendition of ‘Savere Wali Gaadi Se Chale Jayenge,’ sung in joy.
The Emergency, he said, shaped his life profoundly. “I emerged from prison with a new perspective on politics, democracy, and public service. I learnt the importance of standing firm for constitutional values and of nurturing democratic institutions.”
Governor Shri Dattatraya urged the people of India, especially the youth, to stay vigilant and protect the democratic ethos of the nation. “Our democracy has withstood severe tests, thanks to the resilience of our people. Let us never forget the sacrifices made and ensure that such a chapter is never repeated,” he concluded.
He reiterated the importance of further strengthening all four pillars of democracy – the legislature, executive, judiciary, and the media – to ensure that India remains a vibrant, free, and fair society.
