Amit Shah Releases ‘The Emergency Diaries’

On June 25, 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah released a new book titled “The Emergency Diaries”, commemorating the 50th anniversary of India’s 1975 Emergency. The book documents Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s involvement as a young RSS Pracharak during the Emergency, portraying his early efforts to safeguard democracy against authoritarianism. Based on first-hand accounts, anecdotes, and archival material, the book highlights Modi’s role in resisting the oppressive regime and reinforces the importance of protecting India’s constitutional and democratic values.

Why in News?

June 25, 2025 marked the 50th anniversary of the declaration of Emergency in India (1975–77). Home Minister Amit Shah released the book The Emergency Diaries. The book chronicles PM Modi’s ideological journey and actions during the Emergency as an underground worker. It serves as a reminder of the importance of democratic safeguards and civil liberties in modern India.

About the Book

• Title: The Emergency Diaries
• Released by: Amit Shah, Union Home Minister
• Focus: PM Narendra Modi’s role during the Emergency as a young RSS Pracharak

Sources Used

• First-person anecdotes from Modi’s associates
• Archival material and historical documents

Objectives and Significance

• To commemorate the sacrifices of those who resisted authoritarianism.
• To educate younger generations about the Emergency (1975–77) and the suppression of civil liberties.
• To highlight PM Modi’s ideological foundation and democratic values.
• To present a personal account of India’s darkest democratic phase through the lens of someone who lived through it.

Background – What Was the Emergency?

• Declared on: June 25, 1975, by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
• Duration: 21 months (till March 21, 1977)

Key Characteristics

• Suspension of civil liberties
• Censorship of media
• Mass arrests of opposition leaders
• Forced sterilizations and curfews
• Purpose: Officially for national security, but widely believed to be a means for Indira Gandhi to retain power after a court verdict invalidated her election.

Key Statements from Leaders

Amit Shah

• “India was like a prison during that time.”
• “Emergency was imposed by a despotic ruler to preserve dynastic rule.”
• Highlighted journalist arrests, leader imprisonments, and banned films/songs.

PM Modi

• Called the Emergency a “learning experience”.
• Stated it was a test of India’s democratic resilience.
• Emphasized the importance of standing against authoritarianism and learning from cross-party unity during that time.

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	The Emergency Diaries book Released by Amit Shah
Released By	Amit Shah, Union Home Minister
Occasion	50th Anniversary of Emergency (1975–2025)
Focus	PM Modi’s anti-Emergency activism and democratic values
Historical Context	Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi under Article 352
Significance	Reminder of democratic fragility and Modi’s ideological journey