BJP President J.P. Nadda Demands Apology from Rahul Gandhi for Emergency Actions of Indira Gandhi
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Union Minister J.P. Nadda made headlines on Thursday, June 25, 2025, by demanding an apology from Rahul Gandhi regarding the ‘anti-Constitution actions’ of his grandmother, Indira Gandhi. This statement was made during the Samvidhan Hatya Diwas (Constitution Murder Day) program organized by the BJP’s Bihar unit, coinciding with the 51st anniversary of the Emergency declared on June 25, 1975.
The event, held in Patna, was attended by Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Union Minister Giriraj Singh, and MP Radha Mohan Singh, among others. Numerous party members, including Ministers, MPs, and MLAs, were also present, as well as many veterans from the J.P. movement of the 1970s who were honored during the proceedings.
Emergency as a Dark Phase in Indian Democracy
Mr. Nadda characterized the Emergency period as one of the darkest chapters in Indian democracy. He accused the Congress government of suffocating democracy, the Constitution, the judiciary, press freedom, and citizens’ rights during this pivotal time.
“Bihar is the birthplace of the historic struggle led by Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan to preserve democracy,” he remarked. The minister highlighted how this movement unified the nation against dictatorship, emphasizing that the tactics employed by Indira Gandhi’s government were more brutal than those used by the British colonial rulers.
The Impact of Forced Sterilization
Speaking further, Mr. Nadda noted the severe implications of forced sterilization campaigns during the Emergency. He claimed that data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reveals that approximately 1.1 crore individuals were sterilized during this period, with around 80 lakh undergoing the procedure in 1975 and 1976 alone. He described a situation where rural men fled at the mere sight of a doctor, fearing forced sterilization, highlighting the extreme measures imposed by the government.
Legal Amendments and Constitutional Denials
Mr. Nadda went on to state that during the Emergency, the 42nd Constitutional Amendment was enacted, extending the term of elected representatives from five to six years while ensuring that they could not be prosecuted. “While Indira Gandhi’s grandchildren carry around the Constitution, they lack fundamental knowledge about its provisions. Rahul Gandhi should apologize to the nation for his grandmother’s anti-Constitution actions before advocating for the Constitution,” he asserted.
INDI Alliance and Allegations of Anti-National Agenda
He further criticized the activities of the INDI alliance, alleging that they do not aim to strengthen the nation but rather support an anti-national agenda fueled by their desire for power.
Recollecting personal memories, Mr. Nadda shared how Jayaprakash Narayan, despite being frail due to illness, would come to Patna and inspire students. He recounted how students rallied behind Narayan, chanting slogans of support, only to be arrested soon after returning to class. He pointed out that college campuses had become militarized zones during the Emergency, noting the ban imposed on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) during those years.
