Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Friday honoured democracy activists ('Loktantra Senanis') imprisoned during the Emergency and announced a package of welfare measures, including a special pilgrimage train, free medical treatment, air ambulance services and free accommodation at government rest houses.
Addressing the state-level Loktantra Senani Conference at Ravindra Bhavan in Bhopal, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said the sacrifices of those who resisted the Emergency had helped preserve democratic values in the country. "The struggle of the Loktantra Senanis was no less than the country's freedom movement.
Because of your sacrifices, democracy remains secure today, and India has emerged as the world's largest democratic nation," he added. The Chief Minister inaugurated the conference by lighting the ceremonial lamp and showered flower petals on the participants.
He felicitated senior democracy activists, including 96-year-old Laxmi Narayan Patidar, 95-year-old Shantilal Sanghvi and former Minister Umashankar Gupta. A short film on the Emergency was also screened. Launching a political attack on the Congress, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav alleged that democratic institutions were suppressed during the Emergency.
He said people were jailed without legal recourse and families were left to fend for themselves after the arrest of their earning members. He also claimed that detainees were pressured to join the Congress in return for their release. "They (Congress) speak about the Constitution while holding its copy in their hands, but no one has misused the Constitution more than the Congress.
Today, we are proud that India is progressing and stands as the world's largest democracy," Chief Minister Mohan Yadav added. He announced that Loktantra Senanis would be allowed free stay for two days at government rest houses and circuit houses across the state.
They will also receive free medical treatment and air ambulance facilities. Memorial plaques will be installed in the names of deceased democracy activists, while parks, roads and playgrounds will be named after them. He also said that those yet to receive commemorative certificates would be issued soon.
Earlier, Loktantra Senani Sangh State President Tapan Bhowmik and National President Kailash Soni recalled the sacrifices of those jailed during the Emergency and demanded that democracy activists be accorded the same status as freedom fighters across the country.