Agartala, June 26, 2025: Tripura Chief Minister Professor Dr. Manik Saha on Wednesday condemned the 1975-77 Emergency as a “dark chapter” in India’s democratic history, asserting that its sole purpose was to retain power by suppressing people’s fundamental rights.
Speaking at a function commemorating ‘Sambidhan Hatya Diwas’ at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan in Agartala organized by the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Saha recounted the suppression of civil liberties during the 21-month period of Emergency. “The Emergency was declared on June 25, 1975, and continued till March 21, 1977. It was a time when democracy was throttled, people were imprisoned without trial, and fear loomed large across the country,” he said.
Dr. Saha remarked that Tripura too was not spared during the Emergency. “Sukhamoy Sengupta was the Chief Minister then. Panic gripped the entire state. The MISA Act was imposed and anyone could be arrested anytime without justification,” he recalled, describing it as an “indescribable story of democratic collapse.”
Drawing a sharp contrast with the current political landscape, the Chief Minister praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what he called “relentless efforts” to uphold the Constitution and democratic values. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is our guardian. He has worked to protect the sanctity of our Constitution and has restored the democratic rights of citizens,” he said.
Dr. Saha also credited the Modi-led government with bold constitutional reforms. “Triple talaq has been abolished to ensure the dignity of Muslim women. Articles 370 and 35A were removed to fully integrate Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India,” he noted.
Taking aim at political rivals, Dr. Saha launched a scathing attack on the CPI(M), alleging decades of repression and political violence during its rule. “CPM means Emergency. They ruled Tripura for 35 years through murder, terror, rape, and arson. Even during the five-year alliance period, it was like a competition of who could unleash more terror,” he said.
Criticizing the opposition, he added, “They claim there’s no democracy or law and order now. But the people of this state know the truth. Their politics thrives on contradiction and confusion.”
The event also paid homage to those who resisted the Emergency and upheld democratic values. “This day reminds us of the courage of journalists, politicians, industrialists, and activists who were jailed without trial. Ultimately, democracy prevailed under people’s collective pressure,” Dr. Saha said.
Among those present at the event were former Chief Minister and MP Biplab Kumar Deb, MPs Rajib Bhattacharjee and Kriti Singh Debbarma, AMC Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumdar, Director General of Police Anurag, senior journalist Srota Ranjan Khisa, and Director of ICA department Bimbisar Bhattacharya.
