Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the 123rd episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat where he highlighted the imposition of Emergency in 1975. He described it as a period when democracy was strangled and the Constitution subverted. He said that country is observing the 50th anniversary of the Emergency as “Samvidhan Hatya Diwas”.
In his address, he said those who imposed the Emergency “did not just murder democracy but also wanted to turn the judiciary into their puppet.” Calling it a dark era where dissent was crushed, people were jailed under arbitrary laws like MISA and leaders like George Fernandes were chained, the Prime Minister paid tribute to the courage of Indians who resisted authoritarianism and ultimately restored democratic rule.
The Prime Minister called the Emergency the “darkest chapter of Indian democracy” and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to upholding constitutional principles and protecting democratic values.
Yoga day grows into global movement
PM Modi opened the programme by lauding the massive participation in the 10th International Day of Yoga on June 21. “Millions across the country and the world took part in the celebrations,” he said, adding that the event has become more grand and meaningful with each passing year, reflecting the growing global embrace of yoga.
Leading the event from the shores of Visakhapatnam, PM Modi addressed the world’s largest yoga gathering of three lakh participants. He described the setting as “mesmerising”, with the golden sunrise, rhythmic waves of the Bay of Bengal and a sea of people in synchronised yoga postures.
PM Modi highlighted how states across the country joined the celebrations with full enthusiasm. In Telangana, 3,000 divyang (specially-abled) individuals came together for a yoga camp.
He further emphasised the global nature of the celebration, as Indian embassies and major cities like New York, London, Tokyo and Paris hosted yoga sessions, spreading the message of peace, harmony, and balance.
Spiritual pilgrimages resume with new energy
The Prime Minister announced the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after a long break and confirmed that the Amarnath Yatra would begin on July 3. “My best wishes to those embarking on these sacred journeys,” he said, describing pilgrimages as expressions of unity and service. He also highlighted the ongoing Jagannath Yatra and the arrival of the holy Sawan month.
Meanwhile, the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has been temporarily suspended on June 29th, due to extreme rainfall across the region. Authorities took the decision after the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for the next 24 hours, warning of extreme weather conditions.
India declared free of Trachoma
In a significant health achievement, PM Modi shared that the World Health Organization has declared India free from Trachoma, a once widespread cause of blindness. He credited this success to the combined efforts of health workers, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Social security now reaches 95 crore Indians
Citing recent data from the International Labour Organisation, Modi said that over 64% of India’s population now receives some form of social protection.
He said that the number of beneficiaries under government welfare schemes has risen from less than 25 crore in 2015 to over 95 crore today.