Emergency was India's darkest period, says Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the Emergency rule in India was "one of India's darkest periods".

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Emergency, Modi took to Twitter and urged people to do "everything possible to further strengthen our democratic ideals and ethos".

Modi described the Emergency - from June 25, 1975 to March 21, 1977 - as India's darkest period, when the then political leadership "trampled over the democracy".

"We mark 40 years of one of India's darkest periods - the Emergency when the then political leadership trampled over our democracy," Modi tweeted.

"A vibrant liberal democracy is the key to progress. Let us do everything possible to further strengthen our democratic ideals and ethos," another of his tweets said.

The then prime minister Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency in India citing grave threat to her government and sovereignty of the country from both internal and external forces.

Modi said that inspired by the call of social reformer and political leader Jayaprakash Narayan, several men and women across India selflessly immersed themselves in the movement to safeguard the democracy.

"We are very proud of the lakhs of people, who resisted the Emergency and whose efforts ensured that our democratic fabric is preserved," Modi said.

"Personally, the Emergency brings back many memories. As youngsters, we learnt a lot during the anti-Emergency movement."

In a series of tweets, Modi said: "Emergency was a great opportunity to work with a wide spectrum of leaders and organisations fighting for the same goal - the return of democracy."