publiccg Chhattisgarh NEWS
Related Articles
Democracy Fighters Honored on Emergency Remembrance Day
Raipur, 26 June 2025 – “Democracy is not merely a form of governance, but a way of life,” said Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai while addressing the Emergency Remembrance Day program held at his official residence today. He emphasized that the freedom we experience today under democratic skies was earned through the suffering, humiliation, and imprisonment of many brave individuals during the Emergency period. He stressed that it is our responsibility to ensure every generation knows about the pain and struggle of these democracy fighters.
The Chief Minister urged people to remain vigilant against anti-democratic forces and to work continuously to strengthen democracy. He recalled how democracy fighters were shackled and subjected to severe physical and mental torture – not during colonial rule, but in free India. This brutality reminded the nation of the cruelty under British rule. Those who endured such inhuman treatment during the Emergency still serve as a beacon of inspiration today.
On this occasion, CM Sai honored democracy fighters and released the book “Woh 21 Mahine: Aapatkaal” (Those 21 Months: Emergency), authored by Sachchidanand Upasne.
CM Sai remarked that 25 June 1975 is remembered as the darkest day in India’s democratic history. During the Emergency, thousands were imprisoned without charge, fundamental rights were suspended, and democracy was strangled. He shared that he witnessed this tragedy closely—his late father, Shri Narhari Prasad Sai, was jailed for 19 months during that period. The stories he heard still send chills down his spine. He described how democracy fighters were shackled and brutally tortured—acts reminiscent of colonial cruelty.
He added that even artistic freedom was crushed—playback singer Kishore Kumar was banned from All India Radio because he refused to sing government propaganda songs.
The Chief Minister noted that the Chhattisgarh government had initiated an honorarium for democracy fighters, which the previous administration discontinued. “Our government not only restarted this initiative but also cleared the pending dues of the past five years,” he said.
He also announced that democracy fighters will now receive full state honors at their funerals, and their families will be provided financial assistance of ₹25,000. Furthermore, a law has been passed in the State Assembly to ensure that no future government can discontinue this honor scheme.
Speaker Dr. Raman Singh also addressed the gathering, elaborating on the horrors of the Emergency and the sacrifices of democracy fighters. He emphasized that it is the current generation’s responsibility to ensure the country never forgets the 21-month trauma of the Emergency. Calling the Emergency unconstitutional, Dr. Singh said the entire country had been turned into a massive prison, with all pillars of democracy—judiciary, executive, legislature, and media—rendered ineffective. Censorship was imposed, and truth-speakers were thrown into jails.
He added that India was facing severe economic and social crises at the time—soaring inflation, unemployment, and rampant corruption. The Emergency was a brutal attempt to suppress the public’s growing anger. “If democracy survives and thrives today, it is due to those brave fighters who endured immense suffering to protect the soul of the Constitution and the nation,” he concluded.
Other speakers included Shri Pawan Sai and National Vice President of the Democracy Fighters Association, Shri Sachchidanand Upasne.
The event was attended by a large number of democracy fighters and their families, as well as dignitaries including Industries Minister Lakhanlal Dewangan, MLA Motilal Sahu, CGMSC Chairman Deepak Mhaskey, Civil Supplies Corporation Chairman Sanjay Srivastava, Minority Commission Chairman Amarjeet Chhabra, Raipur Development Authority Chairman Nand Kumar Sahu, and State President of the Democracy Fighters Association, Diwakar Tiwari.
