“There was no clue who would be put in jail when under MISA. Reporters, whom I personally knew, were jailed. Some of them are still alive, and some passed away today,” said Dr. Saha.

“What is called murder of democracy, it was seen at that time….” he said. “Extortion was at an extreme level. If anyone could not pay the amount, jail was the next fate. That was the time when Congress were in power in most of the states and extortion hit the states.”

“So many people were put in jail in Tripura. That was a time, even if a drama book was published, it was screened by the government of Tripura and any modification was made to ensure no criticism of the government happened,” said CM, remembering his association with a drama club in the state at that time.

CM slammed the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who announced an emergency in 1975 and her son Sanjoy Gandhi, who tortured people at an extreme level and also killed so many people.

“When the emergency was announced, it was said that there was nothing to be feared, but when it was actually implemented, everywhere panic ensued. No freedom of speech existed. So many journalists were targeted and put in jail,” said CM.

WATCH : CM Dr. Manik Saha speaking at Muktadhara auditorium in a Mock Parliament event.

“At that time, protests were stirred by J.P. Narayan that started from Bihar, and then Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Advani, George Fernandes, and Jana Sangha leaders who joined the movement were put inside jail,” said CM. “Today’s mock parliament is not only to gather knowledge about emergencies but also to pay tribute to the people who faced dire consequences during the dark period.”