Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, launched a scathing attack on the Congress over its imposition of the Emergency in 1975, accusing the party of crushing democracy and unleashing mental oppression across the country. Speaking to ABP News Political Editor Megha Prasad, Chouhan said the Emergency exposed the “true DNA” of Congress—one of tyranny, power hunger, and contempt for constitutional values.
His remarks come ahead of nationwide commemorative events marking the 50th anniversary of the Emergency.
In a sharp indictment of the Congress leadership during the Emergency, Chouhan said, “This is Congress’s DNA. To remain in power, one family inflicted psychological atrocities across the nation. They trampled democracy underfoot. Those who roam around today with the Constitution had shredded it themselves. They ended our freedom of expression.”
The remark is a veiled reference to former Congress President and incumbent Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, who has repeatedly accused the BJP of trampling the Constitution, also prominently carrying a copy of the legal document at several rallies and appearances.
When asked if Indira Gandhi had no other option than the Emergency, Chouhan remarked, “It was about not relinquishing power at any cost: ‘We are the rulers, only we will govern. No one else from our party can come forward. I will remain Prime Minister no matter what needs to be done—even if we have to crush the Constitution, shred democracy, and turn the entire country into a prison.’”
He added, “Otherwise, what was the problem in stepping down? Someone else from your party could have become PM. But no—it had to be one family, ‘only me. If anyone challenges me, I’ll crush them’.”
Congress Used Article 356 to Topple Governments Over 50 Times: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Chouhan further alleged that the Congress, despite its present claims of defending the Constitution, had itself repeatedly violated it through undemocratic means.
“This same Congress now talks about constitutional values but committed the sin of using Article 356 to dismiss governments more than 50 times. Because only they wanted to remain in power—no one else.”
Recalling the socioeconomic devastation during the Emergency, Chouhan said: “There were many poor workers from the Sangh and Jan Sangh, and thousands of families were ruined, their livelihoods destroyed.”
He condemned the situation as one where even basic legal rights were suspended: “Just to retain power, Indira ji turned the entire country into a prison—no appeal, no lawyer, no argument, no one to listen… no one was there to hear us.”
“Democracy Thrives in BJP’s DNA, Not Congress’s”
Responding to Congress’s accusations that the Constitution is under threat under the present government, Chouhan hit back: “How many people were killed in jails, subjected to electric shocks, made to lie on slabs of bricks—how many families were destroyed. Those families are asking questions today. Crushing people and dictatorship are in Congress’s DNA, while democracy is embedded in BJP’s roots.”
Chouhan also emphasised that the functioning of the Union Cabinet under Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflects openness and transparency. He pointed to the establishment of the NITI Aayog as a key move to foster a ‘Team India’ spirit through collaborative decision-making.
Reiterating his stance, he said, “Democracy is safe. It is Congress that is in danger—their existence is fading, they are not getting votes, and the public is not with them. They are acting irrationally and claim that democracy is in peril. There is no other party more undemocratic and tyrannical than Congress.”
‘Long Live Democracy Yatra’ to Mark 50 Years of Emergency
To commemorate 50 years since the Emergency was declared, the Culture Ministry has announced nationwide programmes. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to participate in a central event in New Delhi on Wednesday. He will flag off the ‘Long Live Democracy Yatra’, which will travel across the country to spread awareness about democratic values, citizens’ rights, and the lessons to be learnt from the Emergency era.
The ministry, in collaboration with the Delhi government, will commemorate ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’ on Wednesday at Thyagaraj Stadium in Delhi, marking 50 years since the imposition of the Emergency in India on June 25, 1975.
