New Delhi, Jun 25 (PTI) A free nation was put back in "shackles of slavery" during the Emergency era, and people who witnessed this "black period" of 21 months still shudder thinking about it, Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said on Wednesday.
But the roots of Indian democracy are strong, and the sanctity of the Constitution was restored in 1977, Shekhawat said at an event -- 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' -- held at the Thyagaraj Stadium to mark 50 years since Emergency was imposed on June 25, 1975.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is attending the function as a chief guest.
“A free nation was put in shackles of slavery during Emergency," Shekhawat said, as he cited the excesses that people were made to go through during that time.
People who witnessed the Emergency era "still shudder at its thought," he said.
“But the roots of democracy are strong in this country, and the sanctity of the Constitution was restored (in 1977) after a black period of 21 months,” the minister said.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Lt Governor of Delhi, V K Saxena, and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta are also attending the event hosted by the Union Culture Ministry.
Amit Shah is slated to flag off a 'Long Live Democracy Yatra' at the event.
Commemorative events are being held across the country to mark the 50th anniversary of Emergency.