Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday, 25 June said the anniversary of the Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on 25 June 1975 must serve as both a historical reminder and a renewed pledge to uphold democracy, constitutional principles, and the fundamental rights of citizens. His remarks came as India marked the 51st anniversary of the Emergency declaration.

What Rajnath Singh Said

Taking to X, Singh reflected on the events of that period and their lasting impact on India's democratic framework. 'On this day in 1975, the Emergency was imposed in India. The Emergency remains one of the darkest chapters in the history of Indian democracy. During that period, freedom of speech and expression was curtailed, attempts were made to control and undermine the judiciary, and the rights of millions of citizens were violated,' he wrote.

Singh argued that the Emergency demonstrated 'that when those in power become authoritarian, the lives of citizens, democratic institutions, and constitutional values come under serious threat.' He called on the nation to treat the anniversary not merely as an act of historical remembrance but as an occasion to reaffirm collective commitment to democratic ideals.

Government's Constitutional Commitment

'Our government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, remains firmly committed to upholding the Constitution in both letter and spirit and to strengthening India's democratic institutions,' Singh stated. He also paid tribute to those who resisted the Emergency and worked to defend constitutional values during that period, saying 'the nation remains indebted to all those who stood against the injustices and excesses of the Emergency and courageously defended democracy and the Constitution.'

BJP's 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' Observances

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) marked the anniversary by observing 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' (Constitution Murder Day) across Bihar, Haryana, and several other parts of the country on Thursday. The BJP has long characterised the Emergency as one of the darkest phases in independent India's democratic history, and the annual observance has become a fixture of the party's political calendar.

Historical Context

The Emergency, declared on 25 June 1975 and lasting until March 1977, suspended civil liberties, curtailed press freedom, and enabled mass detentions of political opponents. It remains a deeply contested episode in India's post-Independence history, with the ruling BJP using its anniversary each year to draw a contrast with its own governance record. This year's 51st anniversary arrives amid an ongoing national conversation about the health of democratic institutions — a debate that gives the day added political resonance.

What Comes Next

The BJP's nationwide observances are expected to generate fresh political exchanges with the opposition Indian National Congress (Congress), which has historically pushed back against what it describes as selective use of the Emergency narrative. How the Congress responds to this year's commemorations — particularly Singh's pointed remarks — will be closely watched in the coming days.