The official website of Bihar government said that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's rule was worst than British in India.
The Congress party, which is in alliance with JD (U) and RJD in Bihar, is planning to take up the matter with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Party sources said initially they will raise the issue at a party forum with the UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and then to the state chief minister.
The website's 'History of Bihar' section reads, "During Emergency Jayaprakash Narayan, who was then lodged in Tihar Jail, received worse treatment than what the British had meted out to Gandhiji in Champaran in 1917."
"Jayaprakash Narayan's (JP) contribution to modern Indian history continued until his death in 1979. It was he who steadfastly and staunchly opposed the autocratic rule of Indira Gandhi and her younger son, Sanjay Gandhi. Fearing people's reaction to his opposition, Indira Gandhi had him arrested on the eve of declaring National Emergency beginning June 26, 1975," it reads.
"He was put in the Tihar Jail, located near Delhi, where notorious criminals are jailed. Thus, in Free India, this septuagenarian, who had fought for India's freedom alongside Indira Gandhi's father, Jawahar Lal Nehru, received a treatment that was worse than what the British had meted out to Gandhiji in Champaran in 1917, for his speaking out against oppression," it further reads.
According to the content in the website, the movement started by JP, however, brought the Emergency to an end, led to the massive defeat of Indira Gandhi and her Congress Party at the polls, and, to the installation of a non-Congress government -The Janata Party - at Delhi, for the first time.
Angered over this, state Congress leader Chandan Yadav said the references are "totally unacceptable" and that his party will raise the issue with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
A senior official in the Bihar government said they will inquire in to the matter.
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