The Central government on Friday announced that June 25, the day former prime minister Indira Gandhi declared an Emergency, will be observed as ‘Samwidhan Hatya Diwas.’
In a post on X, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, “On 25 June 1975, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, showing her dictatorial mindset, strangled the soul of Indian democracy by imposing emergency in the country. Lakhs of people were jailed without any reason and the voice of the media was suppressed.”
He added, “The Government of India has decided to celebrate 25 June every year as ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’. This day will remind us of the immense contribution of all those people who suffered the inhuman pain of the Emergency of 1975.”
A gazette notification issued on Friday by the Union Home Ministry notes that an Emergency was declared on June 25, 1975, following which there was “gross abuse of power by the government of the day and people of India were subjected to excesses and atrocities”.
On June 25, 2024, India observed the 50th year of the Emergency that was imposed by the then Congress-led central government under Indira Gandhi in 1975. The ruling BJP party marked the day by calling it “Kala Diwas”, slamming the grand old party for violating the constitution 50 years ago and remembering all those who were punished during the period.
The Emergency of 1975 has been a contentious issue between the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress with the former blaming the grand old party for blotting India’s political history and disregarding the constitution.
What is the Emergency period?
The Emergency era is defined as the period between June 25, 1975, and March 21, 1977, during which the central government used the special provisions of the constitution to impose legislative and executive powers on individuals.
This decision was taken by Indira Gandhi citing internal political unrest, threat to national security, and widespread disorder.
‘Congress unleashed dark phase of Indian history’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, commenting on Shah’s announcement, said, “To observe 25th June as SamvidhaanHatyaDiwas will serve as a reminder of what happens when the Constitution of India was trampled over. It is also a day to pay homage to each and every person who suffered due to the excesses of the Emergency, a Congress unleashed dark phase of Indian history.”
‘Headline grabbing exercise’
The announcement has invited strong criticism from Congress, with senior leader Jairam Ramesh describing the move as a ‘headline-grabbing exercise’.
“Yet another headline grabbing exercise in hypocrisy by the non-biological PM who had imposed an undeclared Emergency for ten long years before the people of India handed him a decisive personal, political, and moral defeat on June 4, 2024 – which will go down in history as ModiMukti Diwas,” Ramesh said in a post on X.
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India to observe ‘Samwidhan Hatya Diwas’ every year on June 25: Amit Shah
