BJP marks Emergency's 51st year as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' in MP
Synopsis
Fifty-one years after Indira Gandhi declared the Emergency, the BJP turned the anniversary into a statewide political campaign in Madhya Pradesh — branding it 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' and mobilising former detainees alongside party workers. The exercise underscores how the 1975–77 period remains a live electoral weapon, not just a historical footnote.
Key Takeaways
The BJP observed the 51st Emergency anniversary as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' across Madhya Pradesh on 25 June 2025 .
Events were held in Bhopal , Rewa and other districts, with former MISA detainees and party workers participating.
Former MP Home Minister Narottam Mishra called the Emergency 'an assault on the spirit of the Constitution.' The Emergency , declared by Indira Gandhi on 25 June 1975 , suspended civil liberties and press freedom until March 1977 .
The BJP has framed the anniversary as a warning against what it calls the Congress's authoritarian political legacy.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, 25 June 2025, observed the 51st anniversary of the Emergency as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' (Constitution Murder Day) across Madhya Pradesh, with senior leaders and former detainees condemning the 1975–77 suspension of civil liberties and accusing the Indian National Congress of placing political power above constitutional values.
Programmes Across the State
A series of tribute meetings, public outreach campaigns and discussion forums were held in Bhopal and districts across the state. Party workers, senior functionaries and individuals who were imprisoned during the Emergency participated in events commemorating what the BJP described as the 'darkest phase' in India's democratic journey.
At the BJP's main programme in Bhopal, speakers paid homage to democracy activists and those detained under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) — a law that empowered authorities to arrest individuals without trial. Leaders stressed the need to protect constitutional institutions and ensure democratic freedoms are never compromised again.
What Narottam Mishra Said
In Rewa, senior BJP leader and former Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra said the Emergency stands as a reminder of how democratic institutions can be eroded when power becomes concentrated in the hands of a few. 'The Emergency was not just a political decision but an assault on the spirit of the Constitution,' Mishra told reporters, adding that it reflected what he called the Congress's authoritarian mindset.
Mishra also called on the younger generation to understand the sacrifices made by those who resisted the Emergency. He noted that fundamental rights were curtailed, dissent was suppressed, and the press was subjected to censorship during the period — and that remembering those events is essential to safeguarding democracy.
The Emergency: Background
The Emergency was declared by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on 25 June 1975, following a period of political unrest and mounting opposition to her government. Civil liberties were suspended, elections were deferred, and strict censorship was imposed on newspapers. Thousands of opposition leaders, journalists and activists were detained under MISA. The Emergency was lifted in March 1977, after which the Congress suffered a historic electoral defeat at the hands of the Janata Party.
BJP's Broader Campaign
The BJP has intensified its messaging around the Emergency in recent years, projecting it as a defining example of the Congress's alleged disregard for democratic norms. Leaders at Thursday's events reiterated that the lessons of 1975 remain relevant in contemporary political discourse and must continue to serve as a warning against any attempt to weaken constitutional freedoms. This is the second consecutive year the party has formally observed the anniversary as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' at the national and state level.
Point of View
But its selective deployment as a partisan weapon risks reducing a genuine democratic tragedy to a campaign prop.
NationPress
25 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' and why does the BJP observe it?
'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' (Constitution Murder Day) is the BJP's designation for 25 June, the date in 1975 when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared the Emergency, suspending civil liberties and press freedom. The party observes it annually to highlight what it describes as the Congress's disregard for democratic and constitutional norms.
What happened during the Emergency of 1975–77?
The Emergency, declared on 25 June 1975, suspended fundamental rights, deferred elections, and imposed strict censorship on the press. Thousands of opposition leaders, journalists and activists were detained without trial under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA). It was lifted in March 1977, after which the Congress lost power to the Janata Party.
What did Narottam Mishra say at the Rewa event?
Former Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra said the Emergency was 'not just a political decision but an assault on the spirit of the Constitution.' He called on younger generations to understand the sacrifices of those who resisted it and warned against any future concentration of power that could weaken democratic institutions.
Where were the 51st Emergency anniversary events held in Madhya Pradesh?
The BJP organised programmes in Bhopal, where the party's main state-level event was held, and in Rewa, among other districts across Madhya Pradesh. Participants included senior party leaders, workers and former MISA detainees.
Why has the BJP intensified its Emergency campaign in recent years?
The BJP has increasingly used the Emergency anniversary to contrast its own governance record with what it calls the Congress's authoritarian legacy. Party leaders argue the lessons of 1975 remain relevant today as a warning against any attempt to undermine constitutional freedoms, making it a recurring theme in national and state political discourse.
