Jaipur, March 21 — The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly on Friday passed the “Rajasthan Loktantra Ke Sainaniyon Ka Samman Vidheyak, 2024” (The Rajasthan Democracy Fighters’ Honor Bill, 2024) by voice vote. The bill seeks to honour and provide benefits to individuals who were imprisoned during the Emergency period (June 25, 1975 – March 21, 1977) for fighting to protect India’s democratic values.
Emergency Term Recalled as a ‘Dark Chapter’
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel, while responding to the discussion on the bill, stated that the Emergency era was a “black chapter” in the history of Indian democracy, where fundamental freedoms and the independence of the judiciary were suppressed. “India has been globally recognized as the mother of democracy, and the Emergency was an attempt to strangle it. But our democracy fighters resisted, and their sacrifice brought democracy back to life,” he said.
Patel noted that the current government reinstated the “Rajasthan Loktantra Senani Samman Nidhi Rules, 2008” on January 1, 2024, which had been annulled by the previous regime in 2019. Under the restored rules, 921 living democracy fighters and 219 dependents of deceased fighters are now receiving benefits.
Monthly Pension and Medical Support
Each qualified individual is provided with:
- ₹20,000 per month as honorarium
- ₹4,000 per month for medical assistance
Additionally, benefits include free transportation and official invitations to national events hosted at the district level. In the case of the death of a democracy fighter, their spouse will continue to receive the same benefits for life.
Who Qualifies as a Democracy Fighter?
The bill recognizes individuals who were:
- Rajasthan residents during the Emergency
- Actively involved in democratic resistance
- Imprisoned under MISA (Maintenance of Internal Security Act), Defence of India Rules, or sections of the Criminal Procedure Code
A Tribute to Democratic Sacrifice
Minister Patel described it as the government’s “first duty” to honour those who went to jail to defend democracy. He highlighted how unconstitutional arrests, forced sterilizations, and curbs on free speech had deeply impacted marginalized communities during the Emergency. The bill, he said, is a step to support and uplift those very sections of society.
He added, “The sacrifice and dedication of democracy fighters are the foundation of the democratic environment we live in today. This bill is a mark of respect and a source of inspiration.”
Government to Consider Further Suggestions
Responding to suggestions made during the debate, the minister assured the house that the government would take them under consideration in accordance with the law.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
