"I sometimes say when history will be written, 1984 will be known, 'vinash ka saal' (year of destruction)... When Congress was in power, the kind the destruction we witnessed, 1984 was one of the biggest examples of that," he alleged at a function here to mark the Punjabi Suba Golden Jubilee.
"Terrorism spread in Punjab because of the mistakes of Congress. Punjab and Punjabis faced the maximum consequences during that time," Jaitely alleged.
He lauded Punjab and its people for successfully fighting several kinds of difficulties.
"When the country faced the danger of poverty, Punjab was ahead in making contributions toward the Green Revolution. Punjab then faced the (Indo-Pak) 1971 war bravely. There was no such problem that Punjab did not face," Jaitley said.
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During the Emergency, when "democracy was in danger", the biggest 'Satyagraha' was done by SAD and Jan Sangh, he claimed.
Congress and its domination is getting weaker, he claimed, adding there is a new confidence in India under the leadership of Modi.
"India is now the fastest growing economy. Today no one can play mischief with us. The whole world knows that we have different kind of government," Jaitley claimed.
He lauded the Badals for standing like a "rock" when
Punjab faced turbulent times during the Emergency, the anti-Sikh riots and terrorism.
"The problems which we faced in the last 30-32 years have turned into a black chapter of history. Today the programmes are changing," Jaitley said.
Appreciating the work of the ruling SAD-BJP alliance in Punjab, he said the "map" of the state's cities and villages are changing because of the state government's efforts toward welfare and development.
"The map of Punjab's cities, mandis and villages is changing. A new chapter is being written," he said.
He said this was a joyous occasion for every Punjabi across the globe as the state is commemorating its golden jubilee, since it was formed on November 1, 1966.
"We have formed government two to three times without serving the full tenure as the Centre had dismissed the government. It has happened many times with Punjab," he said, adding there were not too many occasions when BJP and Akalis were both at the Centre and state.
During Emergency the alliance opposed it tooth to nail. The current era would be best remembered as the "years of reconstruction", the Union minister claimed.
"The slur of the 1984 Sikh carnage, frequent dismissal of democratically elected governments, menace of terrorism and several misdeeds of Congress spoke volumes of its dubious character," he said, adding concerted efforts on part of Badal has resulted in reviving Punjab's pristine glory.