The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) organized a Mock Parliament session in Agartala to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Emergency imposed on June 25, 1975. The event was inaugurated by Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha at the Agartala Sukanta Academy.
During his speech, Dr. Saha highlighted the significance of the day, describing the Emergency period as one of the darkest chapters in India’s democratic history. He emphasized how the Congress government, under the leadership of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, suppressed civil liberties and muzzled dissent, leading to a blatant subversion of the Indian Constitution.
The Mock Parliament session aimed to raise awareness among the youth about the perils of authoritarianism and the importance of safeguarding democratic values. Participants reenacted key moments from the Emergency era through speeches and parliamentary-style debates, highlighting the systematic dismantling of democratic institutions.
Dr. Saha also spoke about the undemocratic constitutional amendments introduced during the Emergency, such as the 38th, 39th, 40th, 41st, and 42nd Amendments. He mentioned the enforcement of the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), which led to the arbitrary arrest and persecution of thousands of political leaders, journalists, students, and ordinary citizens without trial.
Guests and senior leaders present at the event praised the BJYM activists for their enthusiastic involvement and stressed the need for continued vigilance to protect India’s democratic ethos. The Mock Parliament session served as a tribute to the resilience of Indian democracy while also serving as a reminder of the ease with which it can be threatened when power is misused.
The event aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to involve non-political youths in the political domain, aiming to engage at least one lakh individuals in the process. Through initiatives like the Mock Parliament, the BJYM seeks to educate and empower the youth to uphold democratic values and prevent the recurrence of dark periods in India’s history.
