Training guns on the Congress, which has been accusing his government of authoritarian actions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the "dark days" of the "Emergency", imposed in 1975 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi,  can't be forgotten, accusing India's Grand Old Party of decimating democracy through the controversial step taken on this day 46 years ago.

Modi said in a tweet, "The #DarkDaysOfEmergency can never be forgotten. The period from 1975 to 1977 witnessed the systematic destruction of institutions. Let us pledge to do everything possible to strengthen India’s democratic spirit, and live up to the values enshrined in our Constitution."

In a separate tweet, Modi shared an Instagram link to show how civil liberties and democracy were the casualties during the Emergency.

He tweeted, "This is how Congress trampled over our democratic ethos. We remember all those greats who resisted the Emergency and protected Indian democracy."

On Jun 25, 1975, Gandhi had called the Emergency canceling elections in the country, suspending civil liberties, censoring the media and putting hundreds of opposition leaders, activists and dissidents in jail. 

The Emergency lasted for 21 months between 1975 and 1977 when Indira Gandhi called for elections to legitimize her rule, and ended up being routed by a combined opposition.(SAM)