Seminar on “Memories of Emergency” in Hazaribagh

26 June 2023, Hazaribagh: Today, a thought-provoking seminar on “Memories of Emergency” took place at the Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra Coordination Office, Amritnagar, organized by the Hazaribagh District Lok Samiti. This event held great significance as it marked the 48th anniversary of the imposition of the 21-month emergency in India on June 25, 1975.

During the seminar, esteemed speakers shared their insights and experiences. Mr. Girija Satish, the National President of Lok Samiti, highlighted the undemocratic nature of the emergency and stressed the need to continuously strengthen democracy. He emphasized the importance of public awareness to combat the misuse of government machinery.

Former MLA Gautam Sagar Rana, a key figure in the anti-Emergency movement in Hazaribagh, discussed the challenges faced by democracy in the present era, with rising costs of elections, the influence of capitalism, and social divisions. He urged everyone to take a stand against such injustices.

Other speakers addressed various aspects related to the emergency and its aftermath. They expressed concerns about the behavior of public servants, growing communal sentiments, the need for change through democratic means, and the importance of corruption-free governance. The seminar also shed light on the role of youth activists, emphasizing non-violence and Gandhian ideology as powerful tools for social change.

A significant moment during the seminar was when Mr. Swaroop Chand Jain, a senior advocate who himself defended the agitators during the emergency, presented the book “The Inside Story of Emergency” by Late Kuldip Nayyar to Mr. Girija Satish. Mr. Jain emphasized the significance of decentralization of power in a democracy.

The seminar served as a reminder of the sacrifices made by countless individuals during the emergency and the importance of safeguarding democracy. It urged citizens to actively participate in shaping a better future for our nation.