'I was a young RSS pracharak': PM Modi chronicles his learning experience from anti-Emergency movement in a book

The book, presented by BlueKraft Digital Foundation on the 50th year of Emergency, "delves into the compelling role that Modi played in the fight against Emergency".

Bluekraft Digital Foundation wrote on X, "Based on first person anecdotes from associates who worked with young Modi, and using other archival material, the book is a first of its kind that creates new scholarship on the formative years of a young man who would give it his all in the fight against tyranny.

"Emergency Diaries - paints a vivid picture of Narendra Modi fighting for the ideals of democracy and how he has worked all his life to preserve and promote it. This book is a tribute to the grit and resolve of those who refused to be silenced, and it offers a rare glimpse into the early trials that forged one of the most transformative leaders of our time."

The Prime Minister narrated how the anti-Emergency movement served as a "learning experience" for him.

He wrote on X, "When the Emergency was imposed, I was a young RSS Pracharak. The anti-Emergency movement was a learning experience for me. It reaffirmed the vitality of preserving our democratic framework.

"At the same time, I got to learn so much from people across the political spectrum. I am glad that BlueKraft Digital Foundation has compiled some of those experiences in the form of a book, whose foreword has been penned by Shri HD Deve Gowda Ji, himself a stalwart of the anti-Emergency movement."

Modi added, " ‘The Emergency Diaries’ chronicles my journey during the Emergency years. It brought back many memories from that time.

"I call upon all those who remember those dark days of the Emergency or those whose families suffered during that time to share their experiences on social media. It will create awareness among the youth of the shameful time from 1975 to 1977."

The Emergency was imposed on June 25, 1975 by the Congress government at the Centre headed by late Indira Gandhi.

The Modi government observes June 25 as the Samvidhan Hatya Diwas, which creates a flashpoint between the Prime Minister's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress.

The Emergency period had led to the suspension of several civil rights over a period of two years.

The Indira Gandhi-led Congress suffered a crushing defeat in the first elections post Emergency in 1977. The Janata Party won 295 seats while Congress tanked to 154.

The result was viewed as a strong response from the voters against the Emergency regime.