Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday marked the 50th anniversary of the Emergency by calling it one of the darkest chapters in India’s democratic history and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to upholding the principles of the Constitution.
In a series of posts on X, the Prime Minister said, “Today marks fifty years since one of the darkest chapters in India’s democratic history, the imposition of the Emergency. The people of India mark this day as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas. On this day, the values enshrined in the Indian Constitution were set aside, fundamental rights were suspended, press freedom was extinguished, and several political leaders, social workers, students, and ordinary citizens were jailed. It was as if the Congress Government in power at that time placed democracy under arrest!”
The Emergency, imposed by the Congress government in 1975, lasted for 21 months and saw widespread suppression of dissent and curbs on civil liberties. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government now observes June 25 as ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’, to remember the erosion of democratic rights during that period.
Recalling his own experience as a young volunteer of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) during the Emergency, Modi said he was part of the nationwide resistance involving opposition leaders, students, and civil society members. He added, “No Indian will ever forget the manner in which the spirit of our Constitution was violated, the voice of Parliament muzzled, and attempts were made to control the courts. The 42nd Amendment is a prime example of their shenanigans. The poor, marginalised and downtrodden were particularly targeted, including their dignity insulted.”
Saluting those who resisted the Emergency, he said, “We salute every person who stood firm in the fight against the Emergency! These were the people from all over India, from all walks of life, from diverse ideologies who worked closely with each other with one aim: to protect India’s democratic fabric and to preserve the ideals for which our freedom fighters devoted their lives. It was their collective struggle that ensured that the then Congress Government had to restore democracy and call for fresh elections, which they badly lost.”
He reiterated his government’s dedication to building a just and inclusive India. “May we scale new heights of progress and fulfil the dreams of the poor and downtrodden...” he added.
Modi also highlighted the release of a book titled “The Emergency Diaries”, which chronicles his experiences during the Emergency years. “It brought back many memories from that time. I call upon all those who remember those dark days of the Emergency or those whose families suffered during that time to share their experiences on social media. It will create awareness among the youth of the shameful time from 1975 to 1977,” he said.
Reflecting on the lessons of that period, he shared, “It reaffirmed the vitality of preserving our democratic framework. At the same time, I got to learn so much from people across the political spectrum. I am glad that BlueKraft Digital Foundation has compiled some of those experiences in the form of a book, whose foreword has been penned by Shri HD Deve Gowda Ji, himself a stalwart of the anti-Emergency movement.”
