Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi was in Lucknow to felicitate Loktantra Senanis (fighters for democracy during Emergency) at a function organised by BJP's city unit on 41st anniversary of its imposition. (PTI photo)
Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today called for inclusion of a chapter on the Emergency in textbooks, as there was a need to tell people about the "atrocities" committed during the period.
"Around 75 per cent of the population is unaware why and how emergency was imposed in the country. Like independence struggle there is a need to tell the people about atrocities committed at that time," Mr Naqvi told reporters in Lucknow.
He was in Lucknow to felicitate Loktantra Senanis (fighters for democracy during Emergency) at a function organised by party's city unit on 41st anniversary of its imposition. Mr Naqvi said he would take up the matter with the concerned ministry.
"They should realise how deep-rooted our democracy is. At that time people showed that they will not tolerate feudal mindset, arrogance and autocracy," he said.
The minister said even after that Congress failed to learn a lesson and break free of the shackles of their "feudal mindset".
"That was the day when foundation of Congress-free India was laid. When we talk about Congress-free India, we mean that we want to rid the country from the feudal mindset, arrogance and autocracy. This is the reason that the Congress is shrinking from political map of the country," he said.
Mr Naqvi said Congress could not digest the progress being made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi government.
"Therefore efforts are made to create hurdles. The first thing which Modi government did after coming to power was to remove power brokers," he said.
He said at time when the PM was discussing the nation's growth with other countries, the 'yuvraj' was visiting a university where alleged "anti-India" slogans were raised-an apparent reference to Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and JNU.
Taking a dig at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Mr Naqvi said the chief minister is trying to prove that only he is honest while the rest of the world is corrupt.
"But when he gets exposed, Kejriwal becomes irritated and indulges in drama," he said.
Mr Naqvi claimed BJP would form the next government in Uttar Pradesh with a thumping majority.
"The cycle of SP and BSP regime is over. As per the surveys and reports there is clear inclination of the people towards BJP and they want us in power," he said.
Asked that why BJP failed to make much impact in 2012 Assembly elections, he said situation was different at that time.
"SP presented an alternative to BSP, but this time the situation is positive and there is a strong current in favour of BJP," he said.
"We will prepare our strategy according to ground reality," he said adding that BJP was a democratic party and not that of one family or person.
"While in SP dynasty rule prevails, in BSP there is no face other than that of Mayawati, BJP is a democratic party," he said.
To a query on who would be the main competitor of BJP in 2017 Assembly election, he said there would be a triangular contest.
"At some places we will be contesting with BSP, whereas at other places SP may be the competitor," he said.
Asked about inflation, he admitted that prices of some commodities were high, but said the Modi government had successfully tamed prices of others and checked black-marketing.
On Ram temple at Ayodhya, Mr Naqvi said that it was and never would be an election issue for BJP.
"Our core issue is that of development. Today the entire country is accepting the fact that India has a powerful leadership," he said.