NEW DELHI: “There might have been locks on newspaper houses, radio might have been speaking just one kind of language,” but “given the opportune moment, the citizens gave an example of the power of Democracy.”

Referring to the National Emergency that was declared on the night of 25-26 June 1975, 41 years ago to the date, in his monthly ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Modi added, “A great example of the democratic strength of the common people was witnessed during Emergency”.

The 21st edition of ‘Mann ki Baat’ on 26 June 2016 on All India Radio coincided with the anniversary of the declaration of the National Emergency of 1975, often referred to as the dark day for the Indian media.

Modi said the country’s strength lies in its people and and making democracy a living embodiment.

He noted at the outset that “sometimes my ‘Mann Ki Baat’ is ridiculed a lot and is criticized much also. However, this can only happen because all of us are committed to democracy.”

(In the May broadcast, Modi had lauded All India Radio for broadcasting his monthly ‘Mann ki Baat’ in regional languages on the day he talks to the nation.)