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Narendra Modi: The Underground Warrior Against the Emergency

Published By : Admin | June 25, 2024 | 14:25 IST

During the infamous Emergency period in India (1975-1977), when the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed a dictatorial regime, Shri Narendra Modi emerged as a critical figure in the resistance movement. Shri Modi's activism during this period, marked by his innovative and fearless approach, significantly contributed to the underground communications network and sustained the fight against the oppressive regime.

The Beginnings of Resistance

Shri Narendra Modi's journey into the heart of the resistance began before the official declaration of the Emergency on June 25, 1975. The student-led agitations against the corruption of the Congress Party were already sweeping the nation, and Gujarat was a significant epicentre of this movement. During the Navnirman Andolan in 1974, Shri Modi, then a Yuva Pracharak of the RSS, was deeply influenced by the power of student voices in driving change. He actively participated in these agitations, leveraging his Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad role to deliver fiery speeches that galvanized the youth.

Role in the Underground Movement

Once the Emergency was imposed, censorship and repression became the norm. Shri Modi and other volunteers organized secret meetings and took on the dangerous task of disseminating underground literature. Collaborating closely with senior RSS leaders like Nath Zagda and Vasant Gajendragadkar, he developed ingenious methods to bypass tight security measures.
One of Shri Modi's remarkable strategies involved using the railway network to spread information. He would load materials related to the Constitution, laws, and the Congress government's excesses onto trains departing from Gujarat, ensuring the messages reached remote areas with minimal risk of detection. This innovative approach was pivotal in maintaining the flow of information across the country.

Leadership and International Outreach

With the RSS forced to go underground, the Gujarat Lok Sangharsh Samiti was established, and Shri Modi, at the young age of 25, quickly rose to the position of General Secretary. His leadership was instrumental in sustaining the revolt against the Congress government, especially during the challenging periods when key movement leaders were imprisoned under the MISA Act.

Shri Narendra Modi also extended his efforts internationally, reaching out to individuals abroad and urging them to publish underground publications to amplify global resistance. He coordinated the collection of articles from the Gujarat Newsletter and Sadhana Patrika, which were then disseminated through platforms like the BBC. Shri Modi ensured that international publications critical of the Emergency, such as 'Satyavani,' were circulated back to India, including inside jails.

Covert Operations and Disguises

Shri Modi frequently adopted various disguises to evade detection. His ability to blend in was so effective that even his acquaintances often failed to recognize him. He dressed as a Swamiji in saffron attire and even as a Sikh with a turban. On one occasion, he successfully deceived jail authorities to deliver an important document, highlighting his resourcefulness and bravery.

Post-Emergency Recognition

After the Emergency was lifted in 1977, Shri Modi's activism and leadership during this tumultuous period began to gain recognition. He was invited to Mumbai to discuss the youth's resistance efforts, and his contributions were acknowledged with a modest monetary reward. His relentless efforts during the Emergency led to his appointment as the 'Sambhag Pracharak' of South and Central Gujarat, and he was tasked with preparing official RSS articles documenting the period.

Authoring 'Sangharsh Ma Gujarat'

In 1978, Shri Modi authored his first book, 'Sangharsh Ma Gujarat,' a memoir of his experiences during the Emergency. Remarkably, he completed the book in just 23 days, subsisting solely on lemon water and no solid food. The book, launched by then Chief Minister of Gujarat Babubhai Jasbhai Patel, received widespread acclaim for its objective coverage of the Emergency and was reviewed on national public radio and in prominent newspapers.

The memoir not only chronicled the events of the Emergency but also served as a testament to the collective resistance. It was praised for its wealth of information and objective approach, earning personal accolades from numerous leaders.

Legacy, Continued Vigilance and Solemn Vow

Fifty years later, as Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi continues to remind the nation of the dark days of the Emergency. He emphasizes the importance of preserving democracy and vows never to let the recurrence of such authoritarianism again. His legacy as a fearless warrior against the dictatorial regime of Indira Gandhi during the Emergency remains a significant chapter in India's history, inspiring current and future generations to uphold the values of democracy and freedom.

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Narendra Damodardas Modi’s journey, from a humble background to the leadership of the world’s largest democracy, is ultimately the story of a man who reawakened the faith of a nation in itself.

The fate of a nation is intertwined with the fate of its leaders. Nations grow and prosper under strong, decisive leadership; they decay under feeble, indecisive, corrupt leadership. People are the life energy of a nation, but the leaders are the one who channelizes the mass energy into the right, productive direction. One cannot imagine nations without their founding fathers, their leaders. When we think of the United States, the names of its prominent leaders like Thomas Jefferson, Washington, Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, F.D. Roosvelt come to our minds. Similarly, the Indian nation was built upon the vision of its great founding fathers like Mahatma Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, and Veer Savarkar.

Strong leadership plays a vital role in uplifting the spirits of the people; wise leaders nudge the nation on the path to prosperity and glory. Leadership matters the most at the time of a national crisis, like Matsya Avtara of Lord Vishnu, who steered and rescued the great ship of Manu Maharaj during the pralaya. Leaders steer and rescue the nation during hours of crisis. Shri Narendra Damodardas Modi took centre stage in Indian politics during such a time of crisis.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emerged on the national stage at a juncture when Indian politics had reached a low, an era in which a nominal Prime Minister was being imposed upon the people of India. The government was struck with policy paralysis. Corruption had become deeply entrenched in the national political system, scams like Coalgate, 2G spectrum, Commonwealth Games had become a recurring phenomena. Media, businessmen, and politicians formed an unholy nexus and were siphoning public money with impunity. Entrepreneurs, industrialists, and academia were drowned in pessimism; their trust started eroding in the Indian state. Common people felt ashamed of their cultural legacy.

At that pivotal moment, Shri Narendra Damodardas Modi entered the national stage with a clear, resounding vision. He inspired the youth, women, and veterans alike. PM Modi reinstated hope, faith, and trust back again towards the leadership and the political system, PM Modi revitalised the economic machinery, entrepreneurship, and industry, and re-energised the bureaucracy. Being himself from a humble background, PM Modi possessed within him a deep understanding of society, and being an RSS pracharak, he had a profound understanding of Indian culture.

Being one of the longest-serving CMs in India came with an impeccable administrative and electoral record. PM Modi brought with him the mantra of “minimum government and maximum governance”.

PM Modi, through the rapid digitalization of government services, reduced the inertia in governance and brought government to the fingertips of the common citizens. At the very beginning of his tenure, he replaced the requirement of attestation of documents by gazetted officers with self-attestation by the common citizens. Such is his minute understanding of the bureaucratic impediments that stall the progress of a common citizen. Due to reform measures initiated by him, India’s rank in the international business indicators improved. PM Modi has demonstrated a strong will to an efficient, transparent, and accountable government. Rules and policies are now formed among people, not in closed AC chambers.

PM Modi, since his ascension, has worked tirelessly to transform the Indian economy into a manufacturing hub and make it Atmanirbhar Bharat. PM Modi launched initiatives like Skill India, Startup India, and Production Linked Incentives (PLIs). For strengthening the supply chain, PM Modi sanctioned greenfield expressways, airports, shipping ports, and sped up the construction of brownfield expressways, airports and stations. PM Modi expanded India’s premier higher education infrastructure by establishing new IITs and IIMs. PM Modi restored faith in the underprivileged section through his mantra of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas” in the Indian government. Such is his sensitivity that he launched the PM Ujjwala Yojana as he was aware of the discomfort caused to our mothers and sisters due to the smoke of the traditional gas chulha.

PM Modi brought cleanliness and sanitation to the daily discourse through the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan. Through the toilets built under the scheme, PM Modi provided a dignified life to our mothers and sisters. Due to the Bhaagirathi Prayas of PM Narendra Modi, Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was passed for the political empowerment of the women of India.

A nationalist to the core, PM Modi led a cultural renaissance of the nation. Remnants of the colonial legacy, the Indian Penal Code and CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) were scrapped, and Bhartiya Nyay Samhita was born. PM Modi is rebuilding our sacred tirths incessantly. Due to his efforts, our cultural and spiritual centres of Ayodhya and Kashi were reclaimed. PM Modi has promoted our indigenous knowledge of Ayurveda as a brand ambassador, formulated policies to establish Ayurveda as principal medicinal practice.

PM Modi, through his incredible work, unflinching dedication, and commitment towards a Viksit Bharat, inspires one and all to participate in his vision for a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Yet, the true measure of a leader is not merely in the policies he enacts or the institutions he builds, but in the confidence he instils in his people. Over the past 12 years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought to restore that confidence—confidence in governance, confidence in India’s civilisational heritage, confidence in the abilities of ordinary citizens, and confidence in the nation’s future.

From revitalising the economy and empowering the poor to strengthening national security, restoring cultural pride, and elevating India’s stature on the global stage, PM Modi’s leadership has left an indelible imprint on contemporary India. More importantly, he has transformed governance into a national movement, inspiring millions to become active participants in the country’s development journey. 

As India marches towards the centenary of its Independence in 2047, the vision of a Viksit Bharat is no longer a distant aspiration; it has become a collective national mission. History remembers those leaders who rise to the occasion when their nation needs them the most, leaders who not only govern their times but shape the destiny of generations. 

Narendra Damodardas Modi’s journey, from a humble background to the leadership of the world’s largest democracy, is ultimately the story of a man who reawakened the faith of a nation in itself. The foundations of a stronger, more confident, and more aspirational India have been laid. The task before the nation now is to carry forward this momentum and transform the dream of a Viksit Bharat into reality. 

As India stands at the threshold of even greater possibilities, the words of Robert Frost resonate with renewed meaning, 

“The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.”

For India, those promises are to its people, to its civilization, and to future generations. The achievements of the past twelve years are the foundation. The journey continues, and the miles ahead are filled not with uncertainty but with opportunity, purpose, and the promise of a Viksit Bharat. 

(Rekha Gupta is the Chief Minister of Delhi.)