Delhi BJP Honors 115 Emergency Democracy Warriors at NDMC Convention Centre Seminar

On Friday, the Delhi BJP organised a seminar at the NDMC’s Convention Centre in New Delhi to mark the anniversary of the 1975 Emergency. During the event, the party felicitated 115 Loktantra Senanis, also known as democracy warriors, who were imprisoned during that period.

Party functionaries described the Emergency as the "darkest chapter" in the country’s democratic history. The seminar served to honor those who fought for democracy, act as a reminder to prevent future democratic backsliding, and emphasize the need to educate younger generations about the excesses committed during the Emergency period.

The event was attended by chief minister Rekha Gupta, former Union minister Smriti Irani, and Union minister of state Harsh Malhotra. Other key attendees included Delhi government minister Ashish Sood and Members of Parliament Manoj Tiwari, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, and Bansuri Swaraj.

Speaking at the seminar, Rekha Gupta said that the observance of Samvidhan Hatya Diwas served as a reminder for future generations to ensure that "no leader ever dares to repeat such an act again." Drawing a parallel with the burning of Ravana's effigy during Dussehra, she said the day symbolised the victory of truth over falsehood.

Gupta also paid tribute to those jailed during the Emergency. She recalled that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee continued writing from prison and "became the voice of lakhs of democracy warriors" during his time in confinement.

Union minister of state Harsh Malhotra said the anniversary should be used not only to remember the excesses committed during the Emergency but also to educate younger generations who did not witness the period about the mindset behind those actions. Malhotra stated that an independent judiciary, a free press, active civil society, and aware citizens remained the strongest pillars of democracy.