Emergency: Modi Cites Dev Anand Ban to Slam Congress

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

1. PM Modi attacked Congress in Rajya Sabha over the Emergency period.
2. He cited the ban on Dev Anand’s films as an example of Congress’s actions.
3. Modi stated that many artists were persecuted during the Emergency.
4. He accused Congress of disrespecting the Constitution.
5. Modi labeled Congress as a ‘family first’ party.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused Congress of stifling freedom of speech during the Emergency. He criticized Congress by mentioning the ban imposed on actor Dev Anand’s films on Doordarshan. Modi said that when Dev Anand refused to support the Emergency, all his films were banned. This was a clear instance of censorship during the Emergency.

He accused Congress of disrespecting the Constitution and said that the party had always opposed Baba Saheb Ambedkar. Modi said that Congress never considered Baba Saheb worthy of the Bharat Ratna award. He also alleged that Congress defeated Ambedkar twice in elections.

PM Modi alleged that the “license/permit raj” under successive Congress regimes stalled growth and India had to wait for years to get new technologies. He said that people had to pay bribes for permits and it would take years to import a computer. Today, the country is taking a sigh of relief after being freed from the clutches of Congress.

Furthermore, PM Modi also mentioned how Lata Mangeshkar’s brother, Hridaynath Mangeshkar, was sacked from All India Radio (AIR) for reciting a poem on Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar. He also stated that during Nehru’s tenure, a workers’ strike was held in Mumbai. During that strike, the famous poet Majrooh Sultanpuri recited a poem. After that, he was put in jail. Famous actor Balraj Sahni was also jailed only because he participated in a protest.

Continuing his tirade against the Congress, PM Modi emphasized that while the BJP’s model of development was “nation first,” for the Congress, it was “family first.” He stated that expecting “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” from Congress would be a huge mistake. It is beyond their thinking, and it also doesn’t suit their roadmap because the whole party is dedicated only to one family. The Emergency represents a dark period in Indian history, and Modi’s remarks are part of a broader effort to discredit the Congress party by highlighting what he sees as its past misdeeds.

By referencing events that occurred during the Emergency, Modi sought to corner Congress. The ban on Dev Anand’s films, the arrest of Majrooh Sultanpuri, and the dismissal of Hridaynath Mangeshkar from AIR all illustrate the suppression of freedom of expression that occurred during Congress’s reign.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

• PM Modi cited the ban on Dev Anand’s films during the Emergency.
• He accused Congress of suppressing freedom of expression.
• Modi described Congress as a ‘family first’ party.
• He also questioned Congress’s attitude towards Baba Saheb Ambedkar.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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