The 21-month Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on June 25, 1975, remains one of the most controversial chapters in India’s democratic history. Thousands of RSS workers, journalists and activists were imprisoned, while civil liberties were suspended and censorship became widespread. Amid this crackdown, a young Narendra Modi operated underground, evading arrest while carrying out critical responsibilities for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Beyond organising resistance, one of his most significant roles was ensuring that the families of jailed satyagrahis did not suffer in silence.
During the Emergency, Narendra Modi went underground and took on a crucial unseen role, caring for the families of jailed satyagrahis. This was one of the key responsibilities he shouldered during those dark years.
RSS Karyakarta Nirmalbhai Motwani recalls meeting Modi as he… pic.twitter.com/LA1e9sLNHs
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As the Emergency intensified, many RSS workers were detained under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA). Narendra Modi, then in his mid-twenties, avoided arrest by constantly changing locations and reportedly using disguises while travelling across Gujarat. His underground work involved arranging secret meetings, distributing literature opposing the Emergency, and maintaining contact with families whose primary earners had been imprisoned.
RSS karyakarta Nirmalbhai Motwani has recalled meeting Modi during this period, describing how the young pracharak moved discreetly from place to place, often in disguise, to avoid the police while continuing organisational work.
While organising resistance was one part of his responsibility, Modi also focused on the humanitarian impact of the Emergency. With thousands of activists behind bars, many families suddenly lost their only source of income. Wives, children and elderly parents were left struggling financially and emotionally.
According to accounts shared by RSS workers, Narendra Modi made it a priority to personally visit such families across Gujarat. He would enquire about their needs, provide financial assistance collected through organisational networks, and assure them that they had not been forgotten.
Visiting Shrimal Bhai’s Family in Junagadh
One such incident involved activist Shrimal Bhai, who had been jailed during the Emergency. PM Modi reportedly travelled to Shrimal Bhai’s residence in Junagadh to check on the family’s well-being. Understanding their financial hardship, he handed over Rs 700, a significant amount at the time, to help them manage household expenses while the family’s breadwinner remained in prison. His visit was not merely about delivering financial aid. It was meant to reassure the family that the movement stood with them despite the difficult circumstances.
Carrying a Lunchbox to Prison
During the visit, Shrimal Bhai’s wife expressed concern about sending home-cooked food to her imprisoned husband. Without hesitation, Narendra Modi reportedly volunteered to carry the lunchbox himself. He personally took the tiffin to Junagadh Jail, ensuring that the imprisoned activist received a meal prepared by his family. The act reflected not only logistical support but also a gesture of empathy during a period when communication between prisoners and their families was severely restricted. For many families affected by the Emergency, such personal interventions provided emotional strength alongside practical assistance.
The Emergency is remembered for mass arrests, censorship, and the suspension of democratic freedoms. Yet behind the political struggle were countless ordinary families coping with the absence of imprisoned loved ones. Accounts such as those shared by RSS karyakarta Nirmalbhai Motwani highlight a lesser-known aspect of that period—how underground workers not only resisted politically but also ensured that families affected by the crackdown received financial and emotional support.
PM Modi’s role extended beyond avoiding arrest or coordinating underground activities. His reported visits to families, financial assistance, and willingness to personally carry food to imprisoned activists remain examples of the quiet compassion that accompanied the broader struggle against the Emergency.
