Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav on 25 June 2026 marked the 51st anniversary of the 1975 Emergency, condemning the then-Congress government's decision as an assault on the Constitution and democracy, and reaffirming Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to constitutional supremacy.

Context

In his post, Dr. Yadav wrote — translated from Hindi — that '25 जून, 1975 को तत्कालीन कांग्रेस सरकार ने संविधान की आत्मा को कुचलते हुए देश पर आपातकाल थोप दिया था' ('On 25 June 1975, the then-Congress government, crushing the soul of the Constitution, imposed an Emergency on the country'). He called it a 'dark chapter' that 'tore apart the self-respect of Mother India.' The post carried the hashtag #SamvidhanHatyaDiwas — roughly translating to 'Constitution Murder Day.'

Dr. Yadav credited Prime Minister Modi with resolving that the Constitution shall remain supreme and democracy shall be immortal in what he called the 'new India.'

Policy Backdrop

The National Emergency of 25 June 1975 was proclaimed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi under Article 352 of the Constitution, citing internal disturbance. Fundamental rights were suspended and the press was censored for nearly 21 months, until March 1977. The Emergency ended ahead of general elections in 1977, which produced India's first non-Congress government at the Centre.

Since 2014, BJP-led governments at the central and state levels have periodically organised events and campaigns recalling the Emergency period, framing the anniversary as a reminder of what they describe as authoritarian rule. The Indian National Congress, which authorised the Emergency, remains the principal opposition party today.

Stakeholders and Impact

The post is directed at citizens and the broader political audience ahead of what the BJP frames as a day of democratic remembrance. For the Congress party, such anniversaries renew scrutiny of its historical record, while BJP state governments use the occasion to reinforce their constitutional credentials.

In Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Yadav's statement aligns the state government's messaging with the national BJP narrative, emphasising that democratic values are now 'paramount' for citizens of the new India.

What's Next

State and central government programmes marking the Emergency anniversary are expected to continue in subsequent years, with possible references to constitutional provisions in parliamentary sessions. The #SamvidhanHatyaDiwas campaign on social media signals an ongoing effort by BJP leaders to institutionalise the date in public memory as a counterpoint to Congress's political legacy.

As the BJP deepens this annual observance, the political contest over the Emergency's historical meaning is likely to intensify, with the Congress expected to defend its record and the ruling party pressing its constitutional-supremacy narrative.