TFP Bureau, Raipur, 26 June 2025: Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai said that democracy is not merely a system of governance, but a way of life that was preserved through immense sacrifice during the Emergency era. He was addressing the Emergency Memorial Day program organized at his official residence, where democracy fighters were honored for their courage and resilience.
CM Sai emphasized the need to remain vigilant against anti-democratic forces and to continuously work towards strengthening democratic values. “The freedom we enjoy today came at a price—many were tortured, humiliated, and imprisoned during the Emergency. It is our responsibility to ensure that the pain and struggle of these fighters reach future generations,” he said.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister released a book titled “Woh 21 Mahine: Emergency” authored by Shri Sachchidanand Upasne, chronicling the events and sufferings during the Emergency period.
Recalling personal memories, CM Sai shared how his father, Late Shri Narhari Prasad Sai, was imprisoned for 19 months during the Emergency. “What happened in those 21 months in independent India mirrored the cruelty of British rule. Even artists like Kishore Kumar were punished for dissent—his songs were banned from All India Radio,” he noted.
The Chief Minister also announced new measures to honor democracy fighters:
- Funeral services for democracy fighters will now be conducted with state honors.
- A financial assistance of ₹25,000 will be provided to the deceased’s family.
- The honorarium for democracy fighters, discontinued by the previous government, has been reinstated and all dues from the last five years cleared.
- The honorarium scheme has now been secured through legislation, preventing any future government from discontinuing it.
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Dr. Raman Singh also addressed the gathering, calling the Emergency a dark and unconstitutional period in Indian democracy. “The entire country was turned into a jail. Judiciary, legislature, executive, and the press were all paralyzed. Those who stood up for truth were jailed,” he said, adding that the current generation must learn from and share the stories of that era to safeguard democracy.
The program was attended by Industry Minister Shri Lakhanlal Devangan, MLA Motilal Sahu, CGMSC Chairman Deepak Mhaske, Civil Supplies Corporation Chairman Sanjay Srivastava, Minority Commission Chairman Amarjeet Chhabra, Raipur Development Authority Chairman Nand Kumar Sahu, and State President of Loktantra Senani Sangh Diwakar Tiwari. A large number of democracy fighters and their families were also present.
Shri Pawan Sai and Shri Sachchidanand Upasne, National Vice President of Loktantra Senani Sangh, also addressed the gathering, highlighting the movement’s significance in preserving constitutional values.
