Symposium on Emergency of 25 June 1975: A Disgrace to Democracy

25 June 2024, Hazaribagh: Lok Samiti and Jagriti jointly organized a symposium titled “Emergency 25 June 1975 – A Disgrace to Democracy” at NBJK premises in Hazaribagh. The event commenced with the garlanding of Loknayak Jaiprakash’s photograph. Mr. Satish Girija, President of Jharkhand State Lok Samiti, welcomed participants, reflecting on the dark period from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977, when many were unjustly imprisoned and deprived of fundamental rights. He shared his personal experiences of arrest and imprisonment during the Emergency, emphasizing Lok Samitis’ role in ensuring democratic vigilance.

Prof. KP Sharma stressed the importance of mandatory voting, equitable property distribution, and laws to uphold fundamental duties. Mr. Ganesh Citu highlighted the inadequacy of MNREGA wages and other grassroots level government employees’ wages, calling for discussions on the past to improve the future. Journalist Mr. Umesh Pratap and former JP movement agitator Mr. Harish Srivastava called for systemic reforms and remembered the student protests against the Emergency.

Mrs. Sumitra Devi and Mrs. Sharda Devi discussed women’s rights and public issues. In his presidential address, Advocate Mr. Swaroop Chand Jain recounted his arrest and the widespread injustice during the Emergency, urging continuous opposition to such undemocratic actions. Other speakers included Mr. Adhin Mahato, Dr. Vishwanath Azad, Mr. Awadhesh Pandey, and Mr. Devsharan Suman. The event, attended by around 60 participants, concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Rajeev Singh and was anchored by Mr. Shankar Rana.