Why Does PM Modi Salute Those Who Resisted the Emergency?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- PM Modi commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Emergency.
- He honors those who fought against oppression.
- The importance of the Constitution is emphasized.
- The BJP marks this day as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas.
- Collective struggle led to the restoration of democracy.
New Delhi, June 25 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reaffirmed the dedication to fortifying the principles enshrined in the Constitution and collaborating to achieve the nation’s vision of a Viksit Bharat.
He made these remarks on Wednesday while commemorating the 50th anniversary of the imposition of the Emergency in India.
In a social media post on X, PM Modi stated that this day signifies half a century since one of the darkest periods in India’s history, where the values embedded in the Indian Constitution were disregarded.
“Today marks fifty years since one of the darkest chapters in India’s democratic history, the imposition of the Emergency. The people of India observe 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 numerous political leaders, social activists, students, and ordinary citizens faced imprisonment.”
“It felt as though the Congress Government at that time had placed democracy under arrest!” remarked PM Modi.
He expressed that the nation honors every individual who resisted tyranny.
“We honor every person who stood resolutely in the struggle against the Emergency! These individuals hailed from every corner of India, representing various walks of life and ideologies, uniting with a single objective: to safeguard India’s democratic integrity and uphold the principles for which our freedom fighters sacrificed their lives.”
The Prime Minister noted in his post that it was their collective resistance that compelled the then Congress government to restore democracy and call for fresh elections, which they ultimately lost.
Reaffirming the dedication to the Constitution and its values, he stated, “We also reiterate our commitment to bolstering the principles in our Constitution and working together to realize our vision of a Viksit Bharat.”
“May we achieve new heights of progress and realize the dreams of the impoverished and marginalized,” he added.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is observing the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, which was enforced by the Indira Gandhi-led government in 1975, as ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’ (Constitution Murder Day).
The party has organized extensive outreach initiatives at district and booth levels nationwide to commemorate the day as a “dark chapter” in India’s democratic narrative.