PM says, Emergency was a ‘black spot’ on India’s democracy

By Our Special Correspondent

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the emergency imposed 47 years ago is a "black spot" on India's vibrant democracy as he praised the country's democratic values.

Addressing the Indian community in Germany, the Prime Minister said, “Today is June 26 which is also known as the day when India’s democracy, which is in the DNA of every Indian, was trampled and suppressed 47 years ago.

“The people of India responded to all the conspiracies to crush democracy in a democratic way. We Indians take pride in our democracy wherever we are,” he said. Modi said in his 30 minute speech at the massive Diaspora event held t the Audi Dome stadium here.

Emergency was announced in India on June 25, 1975 when Congress leader Indira Gandhi was the prime minister and was lifted on March 21, 1977.

Modi said Indians are proud of their democracy. "Today, we can proudly say that India is the mother of democracy ... The diversity of culture, food, clothing, music and traditions motivate our democracy. India has shown that democracy can and will provide."

Modi, who arrived in Munich on Sunday on a two-day visit to Germany, will attend the G7 summit on Monday and discuss issues like energy, food security, counter-terrorism, environment and democracy with the leaders of the powerful grouping and its partner countries.

The way in which millions of Indians have achieved big goals together is unprecedented. Today every village in India is free of open defecation, has electricity and 99% of the villages also have clean cooking fuel. India is providing free rations to 80 crore poor people. People from the last 2 years, he added.

In India, every month on an average 5,000 patents are being filed. Every month, on an average, India makes over 500 railway coaches, provides 18 lakh households clean water, he said.

"Once upon a time India was nowhere in the race of startups. Today we are the third largest startup ecosystem. Similarly, we also import generic phones. Today, we are the second largest mobile phone manufacturer in the world," Modi said.