Emergency remains a Dark Chapter in Democracy: H D Deve Gowda
3 min read
New Delhi: Marking the 75th anniversary of the adoption of India’s Constitution, former Prime Minister and Rajya Sabha MP, H D Deve Gowda, delivered a poignant speech in the Upper House, reflecting on the document’s enduring significance, its vision, and its role in shaping modern India.
He paid glowing tributes to Dr B R Ambedkar and the drafting committee for their visionary leadership.
“Our Constitution, drafted under the leadership of the great Dr B R Ambedkar, has withstood various pressures and the politics of our time,” he said, adding that the document’s strength lies in the democratic guarantees it provides.
Deve Gowda emphasised the Constitution succeeded because the poor and oppressed saw hope in Dr Ambedkar’s vision.
“If they had not seen hope in Dr Ambedkar’s vision, and if they had not understood that it is the only savior of their future, they would not have become its fierce guardians,” he remarked.
Recalling moments in history when the Constitution was tested, the former PM pointed out that the Emergency (1975-77) was one such dark period.
“Fifty years ago, when the Emergency was declared, nearly the entire political opposition of this nation was sent to jail,” he said.
Sharing his personal experience, Deve Gowda added, “I too was sent to jail. The mental pressure of my imprisonment took a toll on my father, and he eventually passed away. It was a traumatic time for many who believed in democracy and stood by their political convictions.”
He highlighted the lessons learned during that period. “It was during the Emergency that the nation realized the liberties and freedoms that the Constitution had guaranteed us,” he said, urging the younger generation to remember the sacrifices made during that time to preserve democracy.
Deve Gowda credited the Constitution for his own rise in politics, stating, “The Constitution has meant everything to me. If, as the son of a poor farmer, from a remote village and from the bottom of the caste order, I could become Chief Minister and Prime Minister, it is only because our Constitution made it possible.”
He shared how his leadership gave hope to countless ordinary citizens. “People told me that my rise to the top gave them hope in our democracy. For them, it was the celebration of the potential and diversity of this nation,” he noted.
Reflecting on his tenure as Prime Minister, Deve Gowda highlighted his efforts to work for neglected regions such as the North East and Kashmir.
“I was the first Prime Minister to spend seven days in the North East and offer an economic package to the region. I also set up the Shukla Commission for its development,” he said.
Speaking on Kashmir, he recalled visiting the region four times in ten months and working to revive the democratic process by conducting assembly elections after a long gap.
Deve Gowda also celebrated the Constitution’s structure and its ability to balance diversity with unity. “We have one of the finest constitutions in the world. Its architecture ensures the balance of power between various institutional pillars of democracy while recognizing our diversity and federal structure,” he stated.
The former PM highlighted the success of coalition governments in India post-1977 as a testament to the Constitution’s robustness.
“I ran a coalition of 13 parties for the first time. The economic record and democratic credentials of that government have been well recognized. The simple rule I followed was that if you adhered to the Constitution closely and faithfully, you would avoid big mistakes,” he said.
Concluding his speech, Deve Gowda called for continued efforts to uphold the sanctity of the Constitution. “The effort to remain closer to the word and spirit of our Constitution is a continuous one. We must never give up that effort,” he said.
He paid rich tributes to Dr Ambedkar and others who contributed to the Constitution and expressed hope that India would celebrate its centenary and many more anniversaries of the Constitution in the years to come.
“May we celebrate the centenary of our Constitution and its many centenaries that lie ahead in the glorious future of this nation,” he concluded with a call to action to preserve and honor the legacy of India’s democratic framework.
– Team Mysoorunews
Mysooru News
