DH NEWS SERVICE
new delhi, june 25
As India prepares to revisit one of its most controversial chapters in post-Independence history, a new book titled The Emergency Diaries – Years that Forged a Leader is set to be released on Wednesday. The book focuses on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s personal experiences during the 1975-77 Emergency and offers insights into how the period helped shape his ideological and political journey. Published by BlueKraft Digital Foundation, the book will be formally released by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Prime Minister Modi, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), described the Emergency as a dark and shameful time in India’s democratic history, while calling upon citizens, especially those who lived through or were affected by it, to share their stories on social media. “It will create awareness among the youth of the shameful time from 1975 to 1977,” he said, adding that such sharing would help ensure that such a period of authoritarian rule is never repeated.
Reflecting on his own experience, Modi recalled that he was a young Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) pracharak during the Emergency. He emphasized how the anti-Emergency movement not only deepened his commitment to democratic values but also allowed him to engage with leaders and activists across the political spectrum. “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,” he noted.
The book, which features a foreword by former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda-a key figure in the anti-Emergency resistance-aims to provide readers with an authentic, first-hand account of Modi’s contributions to the underground resistance movement. According to the publisher, the book blends personal anecdotes, archival material, and the experiences of Modi’s close associates to depict the formative years of a young man who would later become India’s prime minister. BlueKraft stated in a release that The Emergency Diaries offers a unique narrative on Modi’s grassroots activism and unwavering resolve during those challenging years. “This book is a tribute to the grit and resolve of those who refused to be silenced,” the publisher noted, adding that it presents “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.”
The book’s timing is significant, given the renewed political and intellectual interest in the Emergency period, particularly among younger generations who were not alive during that era. By focusing on Modi’s involvement in the anti-Emergency struggle, the book not only attempts to showcase his early ideological convictions but also positions him within the broader narrative of India’s fight for democratic rights and civil liberties.
Modi’s call to action, asking people to share their experiences from the Emergency, also highlights an effort to preserve public memory of the time when fundamental rights were suspended, political opponents jailed, and the press muzzled under the leadership of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Political analysts see this book as part of a broader effort to remind the nation of the dangers of authoritarianism, especially in the current global climate where democratic values are under strain in several countries. It also serves to cement Modi’s image as a leader shaped by struggle, sacrifice, and resistance to tyranny.
The Emergency Diaries – Years that Forged a Leader thus emerges not just as a chronicle of the past but also a political statement-a reminder of history’s lessons and a call to remain vigilant in the protection of democracy.
