Abhishek Singhvi Acknowledges 1975 Emergency as a Mistake While Discussing Current Undeclared Emergency

Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi acknowledged the 1975 Emergency as a mistake, noting its 18-month duration. He contrasted this with what he described as an ongoing undeclared emergency in India. During a Rajya Sabha debate on the Constitution's 75-year journey, Singhvi criticised the current situation as a constitutional distortion without a time limit.

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Singhvi questioned the logic of repeating past mistakes, referencing Nehru's era. He highlighted that while the 1975 Emergency ended, today's undeclared emergency persists without constitutional safeguards. "What is the time limit for this undeclared emergency which is there right now? What is the constitution safeguard to end it, there is nothing, zero," Singhvi stated.

Constitutional Concerns and Democratic Challenges

Singhvi launched a strong critique of the Union government, claiming an atmosphere of fear exists in India. He argued that democracy's pillars are trembling under tyranny, secularism's sanctity is being shredded, and federalism is fractured. "Constitution, the sacred scripture of our sovereignty is under siege," he said.

He accused institutions of being weakened, dissent demonised, and truth suppressed. Singhvi claimed those meant to protect democracy have become its conspirators. "The custodians of democracy have become its conspirators, the protectors of liberty are now its predators," he added.

Singhvi praised Gandhi-Nehru-Patel for establishing a strong democracy in India. He criticised the current government for undermining secularism and federalism. He cited instances of building demolitions targeting specific communities as examples of "bulldozer politics" glorified by the central government.

Governance and Institutional Integrity

Singhvi also criticised certain governors for opposing cooperative federalism principles. He argued that elected governments are entitled to make mistakes but governors should not act as super chief ministers. "The governor is not a super CM... today we have super CMs," he said.

He expressed concern over bureaucracy's integrity being compromised, stating that loyalty and servility are prioritised over independence. Singhvi remarked that any independence is met with retribution and transfers. "From a watchdog you made it into a lapdog," he commented on bureaucracy's state.

Singhvi criticised some media coverage as verbal terrorism and visual extremism. Meanwhile, BJP's Ghanshyam Tiwari credited those who resisted Congress-imposed Emergency with saving the Constitution.

Political Parties and Internal Democracy

Milind Deora from Shiv Sena urged political parties to transcend petty politics to strengthen democracy and the Constitution for future generations. He criticised opposition parties for lacking internal democracy while advocating against market monopolies.

"They talk very vociferously about market monopolies, but cannot counter monopolies inside their own parties," Deora noted. He praised Eknath Shinde for restoring democracy within Shiv Sena by ending feudalism.

Deora also addressed concerns about electronic voting machines (EVMs), highlighting inconsistencies in criticism based on election outcomes. "Some after they win laud the EVMs but when they lose they say EVM has an issue," he added.