Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that even during the Emergency, the Democracy fighters raised slogans of Bharat Mata. Democracy was suppressed by the rulers to keep themselves in power, but the fighters suffered all the torture without caring for the consequences. They fought the third war of independence of the country. It is our duty and dharma to honour this fight. Chief Minister Chouhan was addressing the conference of Democracy fighters of the state.
Chouhan said that the Samman Nidhi of Rs 25,000 being provided to them will be increased to Rs 30,000 per month. Those who have been imprisoned for less than a month, their Samman Nidhi will be increased from Rs.8,000 to Rs.10,000. The fund given to the families of the deceased will also be increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000. Democracy fighters will have the facility to stay in Madhya Pradesh Bhavan during their stay in Delhi.
They will be able to stay in district rest houses and other rest houses for two days by paying 50 percent fee. Along with this, complete treatment of all kinds of diseases will be provided by the state government. Special instructions are being issued to ensure that they are treated with respect in government offices. Democracy fighters were given Tamrapatra by the state government, those who are yet to receive the Tamrapatra will also be provided immediately. They should not consider themselves alone in any kind of trouble, the state government stands with them.
Th Chief Minister said that many families were destroyed during the emergency. This was the time when no appeal - no lawyer - no argument was heard. Loktantra Senanis (democracy fighters) endured torture for a principle, ideology and organisation, it was an honour for the idea that saved democracy. Today this ideology is being respected all over the world. Prime Minister Modi has boosted the pride of India. At present also it is the responsibility of all of us to save democracy. It is necessary to be alert from those who do not have faith in democracy, who have nothing to do with Indian culture, values and traditions. Chouhan also mentioned the lines of poems of Baba Nagarjuna and respected Atal Bihari Vajpayee in his address.
General Administration Minister Inder Singh Parmar said that the change was brought about by the struggle of Loktantra Senanis during the Emergency. It was Chief Minister Chouhan who took the initiative to honour MISA detainees. Former Union Minister Vikram Verma said that whatever could be done during Emergency was done to break the morale of the Loktantra Senanis and their families. The family members deserve appreciation and congratulations for the hardships faced by the fighters as well as their families. It is our resolve to make the nation stronger and we are working in this direction even today. Former Union Minister Satyanarayan Jatiya said that about one and a half lakh people agitated to destroy the conspiracy to end democracy through Emergency and were arrested. It was a struggle of truth against power. A large number of people worked diligently to make democracy meaningful. Rajya Sabha member Kailash Soni said that Loktantra Senanis are the heritage of the country. They worked for the re-establishment of the country and democracy. Tapan Bhowmik, former chairman of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation was present. Senior Advocate Bharat Chaturvedi proposed vote of thanks. Programme was conducted by Surendra Dwivedi.
Chouhan inaugurated the convention held in the residence premises by lighting the lamp.
