Emergency was the "darkest night for democracy": PM Modi

Dubbing the 1975 emergency period as a black day for the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hit back at the critics of his 'Mann Ki Baat' programme and expressed his delight over the fact that the people in India have always given importance to democracy.

"Very often 'Mann Ki Baat' is criticised, but this is possible because we are in a democracy. Do you remember June 25-26, 1975...it was the darkest night for democracy. Democracy is our strength and we will have to always make our democratic fabric stronger," Prime Minister Modi said while addressing the nation in the 21st edition of his 'Mann Ki Baat' programme.

Stating that though the people were enjoying complete democracy now, Prime Minister Modi said there was a time in 1975 when the freedom of the people were curbed and 1,000 of political activists and student leaders were imprisoned without any reason.

"People's participation is essential in a democracy. I am happy that people in my country have always given importance to democracy. There was a day when voice of people was trampled over but now, the people of India express their views how the Government is doing," he added.