The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has officially declared June 25 as ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’ (Constitution Murder Day). This declaration was announced through a gazette notification released on Friday by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The notification stated that the Emergency was imposed on June 25, 1975, by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, marking the beginning of a 21-month period of authoritarian rule.
The government’s decision to observe June 25 as ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’ is intended to pay tribute to those who endured the hardships and fought against the abuse of power during the Emergency. It serves as a reminder to the people of India to remain vigilant and resist any future attempts to undermine democratic values. The notification emphasizes that the Indian people hold unwavering faith in their Constitution and the strength of their resilient democracy.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah shared the notification on X (formerly Twitter), stating that this day will commemorate the sacrifices of those who suffered during the Emergency. In his statement, Shah criticized the Congress party, asserting that observing ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’ will help preserve the spirit of individual freedom and democratic defense within every Indian citizen. This, he believes, will prevent future attempts by dictatorial forces like the Congress to replicate the horrors of the Emergency.
Shah further elaborated on X, stating that on June 25, 1975, Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency, displaying a dictatorial mindset that stifled the soul of India’s democracy. He highlighted the imprisonment of countless individuals for no reason and the silencing of the media during this period.
The decision to observe ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’ is intended to honor the spirit of millions who fought to revive democracy despite facing persecution under the oppressive government. The recently concluded Parliament session saw Speaker Om Birla strongly condemn the Emergency period, observing a two-minute silence in memory of those who lost their lives during that time. Birla emphasized that the Emergency remains a dark chapter in India’s history, a period when democratic values were suppressed and freedom of expression was stifled.
