National newspaper The Indian Express will launch its Patna edition as its 11th edition across the country. On Monday, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will grace the launch of the Patna edition of The Indian Express. This is also the month that marks 50 years since the imposition of the Emergency in 1975. Under Ramnath Goenka, The Indian Express reported extensively during one of the most critical chapters of Indian democracy—against the suspension of fundamental rights, curbing of freedom, and excessive authoritarianism. The newspaper famously published a blank editorial to protest the censorship and removal of content.

JP Movement

Ramnath Goenka was close to Jayaprakash Narayan, the Congress dissident known for launching a movement against then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her government from the Ramlila Ground in Delhi in the month of June. Prior to this, Narayan had also called for Sampoorna Kranti from Gandhi Maidan in Patna.

Interestingly, Nitish Kumar was among the youth leaders who responded to Jayaprakash Narayan and played a vital role in opposing the draconian measures of the Emergency rule.

“For us, this is also a homecoming. Our founder, Ramnath Goenka, was born in Darbhanga and had close ties with Jayaprakash Narayan. Bihar has always held a crucial place in the national discourse. Launching our Patna edition is a milestone for The Indian Express, because the people of Bihar—known for their acute political sense and strong social conscience—deserve the best of journalism that does justice to their needs and aspirations,” said Viveck Goenka, the Chairman and Managing Director of The Indian Express Group.