Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday read a resolution denouncing the imposition of the Emergency, describing the decision by then-prime minister Indira Gandhi as an assault on the Constitution, sparking a wave of protests from the opposition in the House.
Birla's remarks on the Emergency, made shortly after his election as Lok Sabha speaker, also led to a confrontation between the government and the opposition in the first session of the lower house.
"This House strongly condemns the decision to impose Emergency in 1975. We appreciate the determination of all those people who opposed the Emergency, fought and fulfilled the responsibility of protecting India's democracy," Birla stated amidst loud protests from opposition parties.
Opposition MPs, including those from the Congress, stood up, shouting slogans against the mention of the Emergency.
"June 25, 1975, will always be remembered as a dark chapter in India's history. On this day, then-prime minister Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency in the country and attacked the Constitution made by Babasaheb Ambedkar," declared the speaker.
Birla mentioned that India has been acclaimed globally as the mother of democracy.
"India has always upheld democratic values and debate. Such values have always been safeguarded and promoted. Indira Gandhi imposed dictatorship on such an India. The democratic values of India were crushed, and freedom of expression was stifled," Birla said.
He said the rights of Indian citizens were trampled and their freedom taken away.
"Those were times when the leaders of the opposition were put behind bars, and the whole country was converted into a jail. The then dictatorial government imposed a number of restrictions on the media, and the autonomy of judiciary was curtailed," Birla said.
The speaker called for a moment of silence from the members before adjourning the proceedings for the day.
Following the adjournment, BJP members staged protests waving placards and raising slogans outside Parliament.
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