IMPHAL, June 28: Former Manipur Chief Minister and senior BJP leader N Biren Singh on Saturday released Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s book Emergency Diaries at a public function held at the BJP state headquarters, Thambal Shanglen in Keishampat, Imphal.
The event, attended by party workers, intellectuals, and members of the public, served as a platform to reflect on the historical impact of the Emergency imposed in 1975 and its relevance to present-day governance and democracy.
Speaking at the book launch, N Biren Singh recalled that ten individuals from Manipur were arrested and imprisoned during the Emergency, a period marked by the suspension of civil liberties and constitutional rights. He underlined the importance of acknowledging and correcting the mistakes of the past, saying, “If we do not rectify the wrongs of the past, we cannot build a clean and just future. A new and upright generation can only emerge when past wrongdoings are addressed.”
Touching on the current unrest in the state, Singh said, “This violence is a consequence of our efforts to set things right. Since assuming office, my government has been working consistently to correct past misdeeds and restore justice.”
He also emphasized the importance of safeguarding democratic institutions and values, linking the reflections in Emergency Diaries to the ongoing challenges faced by Manipur and other parts of the country.
The release of Emergency Diaries, authored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, comes as part of a broader national effort to revisit and document the events of the Emergency, widely considered one of the darkest chapters in Indian democracy.
