MPCC Vice President Hareshwar Goswami justifies 1975 emergency, slams former CM Biren and BJP leadership

Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) Vice President Hareshwar Goswami launched a scathing attack on former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, accusing him of repeatedly misleading the people and distorting facts for political gain. Goswami made the remarks during a press interaction while defending the Congress party against allegations made by BJP leaders regarding the imposition of Emergency in 1975.
Referring to Biren Singh’s recent comment that a “popular government will soon return to Manipur,” Goswami criticised the statement as hypocritical and disconnected from the prevailing crisis in the state. He said that the current chaos is the result of the BJP-led administration’s failure to ensure peace, governance, and unity.
Goswami also strongly defended the National Emergency declared by the then Congress Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from 1975 to 1977, calling it a constitutional decision taken under Article 352 of the Indian Constitution. He reminded that this was the third national emergency after the one imposed in 1962 during the India-China war and the first internal emergency declared in 1975 due to grave threats to national security, internal stability, and economic crisis.
He argued that the emergency was declared under constitutional provisions with due process and was justified in the context of the times, unlike the present situation where, according to him, the Centre has failed to respond adequately to one of the worst humanitarian crises in Manipur’s recent history.
Taking aim at the central BJP leadership, Goswami described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “sociopathic,” accusing him of lacking empathy and compassion, especially in light of the ongoing violence in Manipur which has claimed the lives of over 400 people, including women and children. “While Manipur bleeds, the Prime Minister finds time to travel the world,” he said.
He further labelled Union Home Minister Amit Shah as a “mythomaniac,” accusing him of repeatedly lying to the public, particularly regarding the promises of peace and reconciliation in Manipur.
Goswami called on the people to see through the alleged falsehoods of the BJP and urged collective efforts to restore democracy, unity, and a government that genuinely represents the people’s will.