Terming the Emergency in 1975 a “mistake”, Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi on Monday said even though it lasted for 18 months, there is no time limit for the “undeclared emergency” in the country today.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha on the glorious journey of 75 years of the Constitution, he termed the period of Emergency in 1975 as a constitutional distortion for a specific time limit, while he said that the present undeclared Emergency has no time limit and can continue unabated. Continuing.
Singhvi said, “Speaking about the Emergency, mistakes were made, I mean and Congress has also said the same earlier. Now 90 per cent of the speeches start from the First Amendment of 1950. What about the distortions that have come today? The answer is: If Nehru made a mistake, we will also do it, is this not the logical way?
He said the Emergency in 1975 lasted for 18 months and people eventually reposed confidence in the leadership of Indira Gandhi. Singhvi said, “That emergency was a distortion, which was also supported by the Constitution. There were mistakes in it, but it ended. What is the time limit of this undeclared emergency that is there now? What protection is there in the Constitution to end it? There is nothing, there is zero.”
Making a scathing attack on the central government, he said that there is an atmosphere of fear in the country. Singhvi said, “The Constitution, the sacred book of our sovereignty, is under siege, the pillars of democracy are trembling as tyranny is entering our temples of power, the sanctity of secularism is being torn to shreds and federalism is being shattered.” going.”
He said, “We are witnessing an era where institutions are being disabled, dissent is being demonized and truth is being stifled. The protectors of democracy have become its conspirators, the defenders of freedom.” Now we have become its hunters.” Singhvi said that Gandhi-Nehru-Patel must have done something right, due to which democracy has remained strong in India, whereas in many other countries it has faltered. He said that the present government is working against the principles of secularism and federalism.
Citing demolition of buildings in some states, he said more than 95 per cent of the action has been taken against a particular community. Singhvi said that this is bulldozer politics and the Central government has glorified it so much that now the Chief Ministers are competing against each other. He also attacked some governors, who according to him were working against the principle of cooperative federalism.
He said, “…the elected government has the right to make mistakes…the Governor is not a super CM…today we have super CMs.” He also said that the bureaucracy, which should be a steel frame and pillar of the Constitution, is also under attack. The Congress member said, “The most important test is slavery and loyalty. HMV is the eligibility condition, not the old records that we like, it means the voice of one’s master. Any freedom is met with retaliation, fear and transfer etc. Yes. From a watchdog you have turned it into a pet dog.”
Pointing the finger at the media, he termed the coverage given by some as “verbal terrorism and visual extremism”. BJP’s Ghanshyam Tiwari said the Constitution was saved by those who fought against the emergency imposed by the Congress government.
Shiv Sena’s Milind Deora said political parties should rise above petty politics and focus on further strengthening the Constitution and democracy for future generations. Attacking the opposition parties, he said that if political parties cannot bring democracy within themselves, then how can they strengthen democracy and the Constitution. He said that they talk very loudly about market monopoly, but cannot counter the monopoly within their parties.
Deora said, “We should bring democracy in our political parties… I want to say with pride that my leader Eknath Shinde restored democracy in Shiv Sena. He ended feudalism and restored democracy.” He said, “Another fake story or inconvenient truth that I would like to raise is about EVMs. The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir has raised… Some people praise EVMs after winning but after losing they say That there is a problem with the EVMs.”
