Shivraj Singh Chouhan Reflects on Emergency Era Experiences

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan recounted his experiences during the Emergency, stating that he witnessed numerous inhumane atrocities while imprisoned. He expressed disbelief that such a dark chapter in democracy could have occurred, questioning how anyone could commit such grave sins and injustices. Speaking in Varanasi, the BJP leader shared that he was just 16 years old and had completed his 10th grade at the time. In 1974, he became involved in the movement led by Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan against inflation, unemployment, corruption, and a flawed education system. As the president of his school, he actively participated in the protests.

Chouhan further revealed that he distributed pamphlets calling for the end of the Emergency and denouncing Indira Gandhi's dictatorship. In the last nine months of the Emergency, on April 9, police caught wind of his activities. They came to his home, slapped him, and hurled abuses that he could hardly repeat. Dragged down the stairs, he was taken to the police station, where he was brutally beaten on his knees and elbows, causing him pain that lingers to this day. He endured torture throughout the night, and the next morning, he was handcuffed and brought before a magistrate who signed the papers for his imprisonment.

The BJP leader recounted that as he was being led to jail in handcuffs, some children passing by saw him and called him a thief. Hearing the word 'thief' made his heart ache. He began to chant slogans alone, declaring, 'I will not bow to oppression; if oppressed, I will fight back.' Upon arriving at Bhopal Central Jail, he was shouting slogans from outside, while those already incarcerated joined in from within. It was in that jail that he resolved to live not for himself but to contribute to the nation and society.

He emphasized the importance of remembering the brutal narrative of the Emergency, advocating for a day to commemorate the murder of the Constitution. Chouhan accused the Congress party of being the murderer of the Constitution, asserting that dictatorship is embedded in their DNA. He called for the Congress, which he claims disrespected democracy, to apologize to the nation. He reminded those who carry the Constitution today that their ancestors were responsible for trampling democracy to maintain power. He recalled his time in Bhopal Central Jail, where he was alongside Asmad Warsi, who suffered from poor health without access to medical care and ultimately passed away.