Key Points
- Congress leader Shashi Tharoor strongly condemns the Emergency (1975–77), calling it a “dark chapter” in India’s history.
- Tharoor warns against the dangers of centralized power and suppression of dissent, urging constant vigilance to protect democracy.
- He highlights the forced sterilization campaign and slum demolitions under Sanjay Gandhi as grave injustices of the period.
- Tharoor asserts that while India has progressed since 1975, the lessons of the Emergency remain highly relevant today.
- His remarks come amid ongoing debates over democratic values and government authority in contemporary India.
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor has once again stirred debate within his party and the broader political landscape by unequivocally condemning the Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977. In a detailed article published in the Malayalam daily ‘Deepika,’ Tharoor described the Emergency as a period when “freedom was ended” and democracy was severely compromised.
“A Dark Chapter in India’s History”
Tharoor emphasized that the Emergency should be remembered not just for its excesses but as a crucial lesson for all future generations. He wrote that efforts to impose discipline and order during the Emergency often devolved into “acts of cruelty which could not be justified.” He specifically cited the forced sterilization campaign led by Sanjay Gandhi, which saw violence and coercion used to meet arbitrary targets in rural areas, and the ruthless demolition of slums in New Delhi that left thousands homeless without regard for their welfare.
The Relevance of Emergency’s Lessons Today
While acknowledging that “today’s India is not the India of 1975,” Tharoor warned that the dangers of centralized power, suppression of dissent, and bypassing constitutional safeguards could reappear in new forms. He stressed that such tendencies are often justified in the name of national interest or stability, making it imperative for the guardians of democracy to remain ever-vigilant.
“Democracy is not something to be taken lightly, it is a precious heritage that must be constantly nurtured and protected. Let this always be a reminder to everyone,” Tharoor stated.
Tharoor’s Track Record of Outspoken Views
This is not the first time Tharoor has taken positions that diverge from the Congress party’s traditional stance. He has previously praised aspects of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, and after Operation Sindoor, he was included in a team of MPs representing India abroad, where he voiced support for the Modi government’s foreign policy initiatives.
A Broader Warning for Indian Democracy
Tharoor’s remarks come at a time when India’s democratic institutions and traditions are under intense scrutiny. His call to remember the Emergency as a warning against authoritarian tendencies resonates amid ongoing debate over the balance between national security, stability, and individual freedoms.
Shashi Tharoor’s forthright condemnation of the Emergency and his call for perpetual vigilance serve as a powerful reminder of the fragility of democracy. As India continues to evolve, his message underscores the importance of learning from history to safeguard the nation’s democratic values for future generations.
