Emergency Recalled as Black Day
Democracy Fighters Observe Black Day, S\seek F\freedom fighter status
Ferozepur, June 25, 2025: The Democracy Fighters' Union, Abohar (Punjab), observed June 25 as Black Day to mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency imposed by the then Congress government in 1975. The event was held at Jai Prakash Narayan Park in Nai Abadi, where members of the union gathered in large numbers, wearing black badges to register their protest against both the state and central governments.
The program was presided over by Chaudhary Prakash Chand Malethia, with veteran democracy fighter Ram Kishan Mittal as the chief speaker. During his address, Mittal alleged that the central government is discriminating against Punjab’s emergency-era detainees, while other states’ democracy fighters enjoy full recognition and benefits.
Recalling the dark days of June 25, 1975, Mittal emphasized that the Emergency not only suspended fundamental rights such as freedom of speech and expression but also gravely wounded India’s constitutional fabric. He urged the government to remember the youth who faced harsh imprisonment to safeguard democracy and called for fair treatment of their families.
Event organizer Rajesh Gupta criticized the central government for taking Punjab-based democracy fighters for granted, stating, “The BJP knows these people will not leave them due to their commitment to national service, but the government is misusing this loyalty.” He questioned the symbolism of garlands and shawls being used for superficial honors ahead of elections and demanded formal recognition under the Freedom Fighters Act.
Gupta asserted that the Emergency was akin to a second freedom struggle and that it’s the central government’s duty to declare those who fought for the restoration of democracy as official freedom fighters and provide them all due facilities.
Union Secretary Ashok Watts demanded that democracy fighters be recognized at par with freedom fighters and granted benefits such as the Golden Ayushman Card and free railway travel. He also called for the construction of a memorial to honour their struggle and recommended that the Emergency-era resistance be included in educational curricula to inspire future generations. Watts specifically mentioned figures like Raju Bhaiya (Prof. Rajendra Singh) for honouring posthumously, who worked underground during the emergency .
The union also called on the central government to officially recognize the Democracy Fighters' Union and to issue copper plaques (Tamrapatra) in their honor.
The event concluded with poet Rajesh Gupta reciting a revolutionary poem by Baba Nagarjun, “Mor Na Honge, Ullu Honge.” Prominent attendees included Ved Mutneja, Naresh Futela, Subhash Bago, Mohinder Kumar, Pawan Kumar, Bhishm Thakkar, Rajesh Kataria, Naveen Jain, and Sumit Nagpal. Messages of solidarity were sent by members Ajay Setia, Prof. Chawla, and Rahul Nadda.