Kolkata: In a first in West Bengal, the state government recently honoured 325 people imprisoned during the 1975 Emergency with the Paschimbanga Loktantra Senani Samman, recognising their role in the struggle against the suspension of democratic rights. The award was presented at a special programme at Nabanna, where Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari also announced a range of financial, medical and travel benefits for the recipients.
Under the scheme, those recognised as Loktantra Senanis will receive a monthly honorarium of Rs 10,000 and a medical allowance of ₹1,000, along with medical facilities at government hospitals and free travel on government buses. The initiative seeks to formally recognise those imprisoned under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) or Defence of India Rules (DIR) between June 25, 1975, and March 21, 1977.
Bengal Honours 325 Emergency Prisoners
The West Bengal government has introduced the Paschimbanga Loktantra Senani Samman to honour people from the state who were imprisoned during the Emergency, a period that lasted from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977.
As part of the first such state-level recognition in Bengal, 325 recipients were honoured at the programme held at Nabanna. The initiative also includes a financial assistance and welfare package aimed at supporting surviving Emergency-era prisoners.
Those covered under the scheme will receive a Rs 10,000 monthly honorarium, in addition to a Rs 1,000 monthly medical allowance. They will also be entitled to medical treatment at government hospitals and free travel on government buses.
Adhikari calls Emergency prisoners ‘soldiers of second war of independence’
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari paid tribute to those who were imprisoned during the Emergency, describing them as soldiers of the “second war of independence.”
Adhikari said around one lakh people were jailed across India during the Emergency and claimed that at least 5,000 of them were from Bengal.
He said the state government had decided during its first Cabinet meeting to recognise those who had spent time in prison during the period.
The Chief Minister described the financial assistance as a token of recognition and said it was important for the younger generation to understand the sacrifices made by those who fought for democracy.
“About one lakh people were jailed across the country and at least 5,000 of them were from Bengal,” Adhikari said, adding that the initiative was intended to ensure that the sacrifices of the Emergency-era prisoners were remembered.
‘Entire country had turned into a jail’
Vijay Addhya, one of the recipients, recalled the Emergency and described the period as a second struggle for independence.
The Emergency was imposed on June 25, 1975, by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and remained in force until March 21, 1977. During this period, civil liberties were curtailed, political opponents were arrested and restrictions were imposed on the media.
Recalling the period, Addhya said the entire country had effectively turned into a “sort of jail”.
The recipients of the Bengal government’s new scheme include people who were imprisoned under laws such as MISA and DIR during the Emergency.
Government credits Loktantra Senani Sangha
Adhikari also acknowledged the role of the Loktantra Senani Sangha in helping the state government identify and facilitate the beneficiaries.
He said the Information and Cultural Affairs Department could not have undertaken the initiative without the organisation’s assistance.
The scheme is intended not only as a financial support mechanism but also as an official recognition of those who faced imprisonment during one of the most controversial periods in India’s democratic history.
Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s ideals to be included in school syllabus
At the programme, Adhikari also invoked the legacy of Syama Prasad Mookerjee and said attempts had been made in the past to erase nationalism and patriotism.
He announced that the state government was working on plans to incorporate the ideals of Syama Prasad Mookerjee into school textbook syllabi.
The announcement comes as the government seeks to place greater emphasis on the historical contributions of figures associated with Bengal’s nationalist movement.
Bengal follows states with similar schemes
West Bengal is the latest BJP-ruled state to introduce a formal recognition and welfare scheme for Emergency-era prisoners.
Madhya Pradesh was the first state to launch the Loktantra Senani Samman Nidhi in 2008 under then Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Several other states subsequently introduced similar schemes, including Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Assam and Odisha.
With the launch of the Paschimbanga Loktantra Senani Samman, Bengal has now joined this group, formally recognising those who were imprisoned during the Emergency and extending financial and welfare benefits to them.
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