Former Tripura Chief Minister and senior CPI (M) leader Manik Sarkar today warned against the growing influence of fascist forces both in India and across the world, urging citizens to remain vigilant and united in defence of democracy and constitutional values.

Addressing a discussion meeting held to mark the anniversary of the 1975 Emergency, Sarkar described the imposition of Emergency by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as a “black chapter” in the country’s history.

“During the Emergency, the Constitution was effectively suspended, fundamental rights were taken away, and press freedom was ruthlessly curbed. It was a blatant fascist assault on Indian democracy,” Sarkar said.

Drawing parallels with contemporary developments, he cautioned that authoritarian regimes globally are exploiting democratic loopholes and deepening societal divisions to consolidate power. “The lessons of the Emergency must not be forgotten. We must resist the rising tide of fascism and safeguard democracy, freedom, and the Constitution at all costs,” he stressed.

Recalling earlier instances of political suppression, Sarkar cited the India-China border crisis during the Nehru era, when Communist leaders advocating peaceful resolution were jailed and branded as traitors. “These episodes have been deliberately erased from public memory. The younger generation must revisit such historical truths to understand how dissent was crushed, even in earlier times,” he said.

He called for a broad-based and united movement to protect democratic institutions, uphold human rights, and ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated.