Amit Shah recalls Binaca Geetmala disruption during Emergency era clampdown

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday invoked the popular radio program Binaca Geetmala while delivering a sharp critique of the Congress during a debate in Parliament. Amit Shah referred to the program’s disruption during the Emergency (1975-77) to highlight the restrictions imposed by the then Indira Gandhi-led government.

Recalling his personal experience, Shah said, “I used to listen to Binaca Geetmala, but it suddenly stopped during the Emergency. I argued with my family over why the program was no longer airing. My neighbor informed me that Kishore Kumar had a fallout with Indira Gandhi, leading her to prohibit his songs from being broadcast. As a result, for 19 months, the public heard duet songs of Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar in only Lata ji’s voice.”

He made the remark while replying to the debate on the Constitution in Rajya Sabha.

Amit Shah made the reference to the popular program as an example to underscore the suppression of democracy during the Emergency imposed by Congress government, saying, “And these people talk about democracy. Such acts led the public to punish them so severely that they cannot even dream of repeating such measures.”

“This debate is needed so that nobody can do such acts ever again,” Amit Shah added.