Describing Emergency as a "painful, dark" period, Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday said if that period is ignored, the Parliament has done well.
Addressing new MPs of the Rajya Sabha at an orientation programme here, Jagdeep Dhankhar said, "There has been only one painful, heart wrenching dark period and that was when Emergency was declared." During the period, the Constitution was reduced to just a paper, he said.
"It was shredded and leaders were jailed. MISA (Maintenance of Internal Security Act) became a draconian word. One of the senior politicians of the country, Lalu Prasad Yadav, was so moved and touched by the atrocities of the Emergency that he named his child Misa," he said.
Misa Bharti was a member of Rajya Sabha and is currently a Lok Sabha MP.
"That was the sentiment. If we ignore that dark period, our parliament has performed very well. It has done excellently," Jagdeep Dhankhar told the new RS MPs.
He also lauded the members of Parliament, saying they have contributed to the growth of the nation.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
AAP Announces Door-To-Door Registration Drive For 2 New Welfare Schemes
"The Spectacle I Witnessed...": Rajya Sabha Chairman After Chaotic Session "Demonising Constitutional Institutions Becoming Pastime": Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's High Praise For Jayant Singh's Daughter's Kuchipudi Performance Is Safe Car Enough? Volvo Crash That Killed CEO, Family Sparks Big Question "Nothing Short Of Nightmare": Woman Misses Life Event, Slams Air India Snack Food Epigamia Founder Rohan Mirchandani Dies Of Cardiac Arrest At 41 India, Kuwait Sign 4 MoUs To Strengthen Cultural, Defence Cooperation Couple Caught Smuggling Luxury Watches Worth Rs 13 Crore In Gujarat "Saw Bouncers Behaving Recklessly": Cops On 'Pushpa 2' Premiere Stampede Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.