Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's first action: A resolution condemning Emergency of 1975

New Delhi: Immediately after he was elected Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla on Wednesday read out a resolution condemning imposition of Emergency as an 'attack on the Constitution by prime minister Indira Gandhi'. The move led to vociferous protests by Congress MPs in the House. As soon as Birla started reading the resolution, Congress MPs started protesting. Members from DMK and AITC also joined the protest.

It was on June 25, 1975, that the country woke up to the 'cruel realities of Emergency', when the Congress government jailed opposition leaders, imposed restrictions on the media and 'curbed the autonomy' of the judiciary.

"As we enter the 50th year of the Emergency, this 18th Lok Sabha reiterates its commitment to uphold, protect and preserve the Constitution built by Babasaheb Ambedkar," he said as protesting MPs raised slogans against the unusual reference.


"India has always promoted democratic values and the spirit of discussion and debate. Democratic values have always been protected; they have always been encouraged. Such an India was subjected to dictatorship by Indira Gandhi, India's democratic values were crushed, and freedom of expression was stifled," Birla said in the resolution.

"This House strongly condemns the decision to impose Emergency in 1975. We appreciate the determination of all those people who opposed the Emergency, fought and fulfilled the responsibility of protecting India's democracy," he said amid vociferous protests. Birla also urged the House to maintain two minutes' silence to mark the 49th anniversary of the "dark days of Emergency."

Incidentally, INDIA bloc members had held up copies of the Constitution while taking oath as members on Tuesday, apart from their campaign during elections that the NDA 'intended to amend the Constitution' and deny rights to poorer sections.

Birla's resolution sparked an uproar from Opposition benches, leading to adjournment of the House. While Congress MPs raised slogans against the reference, BJP MPs gathered at the footsteps of the Parliament building to protest against the suspension of civil liberties 49 years ago. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav asked why the government was 'stuck' with decades-old imposition of Emergency.