New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday utilized his monthly "Mann Ki Baat" radio broadcast to address a diverse range of topics, from a scathing condemnation of the 1975 Emergency to a vibrant celebration of International Yoga Day and a notable public health announcement regarding Trachoma.

Marking the recent 50th anniversary of the Emergency, commemorated as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas', Prime Minister Modi strongly criticized the then-governing regime for what he termed atrocities on the people and a "murder of the Constitution." Without directly naming the Congress party or then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Modi asserted that those responsible not only undermined the Constitution but also subjugated the judiciary. He played excerpts from speeches by prominent anti-Emergency leaders, including former Prime Ministers Morarji Desai and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and former Deputy PM Jagjivan Ram, along with a poignant reference to George Fernandes being shackled. Modi recounted the widespread torture, arrests under MISA, harassment of students, and throttling of freedom of expression during the 21-month period, emphasizing that despite the hardships, Indians refused to compromise with democracy, ultimately leading to the lifting of the Emergency and the defeat of its proponents. He stressed the importance of remembering this period to inspire vigilance in protecting the Constitution.

Earlier in his 123rd edition of "Mann Ki Baat," PM Modi reflected on the widespread success of the 11th International Day of Yoga on June 21. He noted the growing grandeur of the annual tradition, now a decade old, signifying deeper integration of Yoga into daily life across the globe. Modi highlighted mesmerizing visuals from across the country, particularly from Visakhapatnam, where he led the largest-ever Yoga gathering of three lakh people on the beach, a feat recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. He lauded the discipline of over 2,000 tribal students who performed 108 Surya Namaskars for 108 minutes in Visakhapatnam and acknowledged grand displays on naval ships, as well as enthusiastic participation from armed forces, Divyang individuals in Telangana (3,000 participants), and unique settings like the Chenab railway bridge in Jammu and Kashmir and snow-capped Himalayan peaks by ITBP jawans. Gujarat also set a new record with 2,121 people performing Bhujangasana together in Vadnagar. The Prime Minister also celebrated extensive international participation, resonating with this year's theme of 'Yoga for one earth, for Health,' embodying the spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'.

In a significant health update during the broadcast, Prime Minister Modi expressed delight in announcing that the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared India free of Trachoma, a debilitating eye disease, marking a major public health achievement for the nation.