Bengal CM announces Rs 10,000 monthly pension to 325 Emergency detainees

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday announced a monthly pension of Rs 10,000 for 325 people who were jailed for taking part in protests during the Emergency. He said the beneficiaries had faced hardship for defending democracy during that period.

Speaking at a programme at the state secretariat, Adhikari said the state government had identified 325 people imprisoned during the Emergency for the 'Paschimbanga Loktantra Senani Samman'. He said the new government was built on the ideals of those who had made sacrifices for the country.

"The brave soldiers had to endure a lot of suffering. The new state government stands on the ideals of these brave soldiers," Adhikari said.

He said the 325 beneficiaries had been selected under



the 'Paschimbanga Loktantra Senani Samman' for their role in protests during the Emergency. The BJP-led government at the Centre observes June 25 as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' to mark the imposition of the Emergency in 1975.

Several BJP-ruled states have also honoured people jailed during the Emergency with awards and pensions. The BJP came to power in West Bengal for the first time in the Assembly elections held earlier this year.

Earlier in the day, Adhikari marked the 84th anniversary of the Quit India Movement and paid tribute to freedom fighters who had laid down their lives during the struggle for Independence. Recalling Mahatma Gandhi's "Do or Die" call in a social media post, he said thousands of Indians had made the ultimate sacrifice with the vision of a free India.