PM Narendra Modi slams Emergency, says all for Jan-Bhagidari

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi underlined the need to strengthen democracy on the anniversary of the national Emergency and reiterated that his government is committed to ensuring this through more dialogue with citizens through Jan-Bhagidari or public-participation in governance and feedback from the masses.

In his "Mann ki Baat", Modi said much fun and criticism is made of his programme in some quarters but emphasised that this is possible as the country is committed to democracy. On June 26, that marks the 41st anniversary of the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi government in 1975, the prime minister stated that the new generation should realize that it is the pride we take in our democracy that has given us and every citizen great strength.

"The night of June 25 and the morning of June 26 was a black night for democracy in Hindustan when Emergency was imposed and the country was turned in a jailhouse…… Today, when I am talking to you let us not forget that our strength is democracy and people’s power. We have to further this commitment, strengthen it more and it is the commitment of the people that has made democracy live," Modi said.

However, democracy does not mean people casting their vote once and giving the government a contract to govern for five years, he maintained. "An important aspect of democracy is public participation. The more the government is in touch with the mood and thoughts of the people, the more it strengthens the country… The gulf between the people and the government has fuelled our destruction," Modi said, adding that an effort should be made to take the country forward through public participation. Modi said the recent feedback and opinion sought from the people on performance of his government upon completion of two years in office was one such endeavor.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who was a political prisoner during the Emergency, wrote a blog on Sunday in which he wondered whether the current leadership of Congress has a view on the subject.