Nadda marks Samvidhan Hatya Diwas, cites RSS ban in 1975 Emergency
Synopsis
BJP national president and Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda marked Samvidhan Hatya Diwas on 25 June 2026, recalling the Emergency-era ban on the RSS and accusing Congress and opposition parties of an enduring anti-democracy mindset.
Key Takeaways
Nadda posted on X on 25 June 2026 to mark Samvidhan Hatya Diwas , the BJP's annual commemoration of the 1975 Emergency .
He cited the ban on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) imposed during the Emergency as a key example of Congress's anti-democratic actions.
Nadda stated that public statements against patriots and the RSS from Congress and opposition parties continue to emerge openly even today.
He described Samvidhan Hatya Diwas as strengthening the resolve to crush the mindset of those opposed to democracy.
The BJP has observed 25 June as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas since 2024 , institutionalising the Emergency anniversary as a political marker.
The 1975 Emergency , declared by Indira Gandhi , suspended fundamental rights and lasted until March 1977 .
Union Health Minister and BJP national president J. P. Nadda on Thursday, 25 June 2026 invoked the 1975 Emergency to mark Samvidhan Hatya Diwas, asserting that the day reinforces the resolve to crush an anti-democracy mindset that he linked to the Congress and opposition parties.
Context
Posting in Hindi on X, Nadda wrote: 'आपातकाल के दौरान राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ पर प्रतिबंध लगा दिया गया।' ['During the Emergency, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was banned.'] He added that public statements against patriots and the RSS from Congress and opposition parties continue to emerge openly, and that Samvidhan Hatya Diwas — Constitution Murder Day — fundamentally strengthens the resolve to crush the mindset of those opposed to democracy.
The post carried the hashtag #SamvidhanHatyaDiwas and was accompanied by a video. It was published at 4:21 PM IST on the 51st anniversary of the Emergency's imposition.
Policy Backdrop
On 25 June 1975, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a national emergency that suspended fundamental rights, led to mass arrests of opposition leaders and activists, and resulted in the banning of the RSS along with several other organisations. The emergency lasted until March 1977 and remains one of the most contested episodes in independent India's political history.
Since 2024, the BJP has formally observed 25 June as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas — a day to commemorate what the party describes as the Congress's assault on the Constitution and democratic institutions. The designation is part of a broader effort by the ruling party to institutionalise the Emergency's memory as a counter-narrative to the opposition's own invocations of constitutional values.
Stakeholders and Impact
For RSS volunteers and the broader Sangh Parivar, the Emergency-era ban carries deep organisational memory, making Nadda's reference a pointed act of solidarity. The BJP's framing positions the Congress as historically and temperamentally anti-democratic, a charge the Congress has consistently rejected.
The INDIA bloc and Congress leaders have in past years countered Emergency-anniversary messaging by arguing that the current government's record on press freedom, institutional autonomy, and civil liberties warrants its own scrutiny. Their responses on and around 25 June 2026 are expected to follow a similar pattern.
What's Next
The BJP is expected to hold commemorative events across the country marking Samvidhan Hatya Diwas, with party workers and affiliated organisations participating in programmes that recall the Emergency period. Parliamentary sessions and public forums may see further references to the anniversary as both the ruling party and the opposition seek to shape the constitutional narrative ahead of future electoral cycles.
How the Congress and INDIA bloc respond — and whether the 2026 observance draws wider institutional participation — will indicate how deeply the BJP's reframing of 25 June has embedded itself in India's political calendar.
Point of View
Using the 51st anniversary to keep the Congress permanently on the defensive over a chapter the opposition cannot easily rehabilitate. By explicitly linking the RSS ban to what he calls a continuing anti-democracy mindset, Nadda extends the argument beyond history into a present-tense political indictment. The institutionalisation of Samvidhan Hatya Diwas since 2024 signals the BJP's intent to make 25 June a durable fixture in India's political calendar, much as the opposition uses constitutional rhetoric around other occasions. The success of that project depends on whether the commemoration gains traction beyond party ranks and enters mainstream civic discourse.
NationPress
25 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Samvidhan Hatya Diwas?
Samvidhan Hatya Diwas, meaning 'Constitution Murder Day', is observed by the BJP on 25 June each year to mark the anniversary of the 1975 Emergency declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, which the party describes as an assault on the Constitution and democratic institutions. The BJP formally began this observance in 2024.
Why was the RSS banned during the 1975 Emergency?
The RSS was banned by the central government during the 1975 Emergency, declared on 25 June 1975, as part of a broad crackdown on organisations and individuals considered threats to the government. Several other groups and political formations were also banned or restricted during this period.
What did J. P. Nadda say about the 1975 Emergency?
On 25 June 2026, Nadda posted in Hindi on X recalling the Emergency-era ban on the RSS and stating that public statements against patriots and the RSS from Congress and opposition parties continue openly. He said Samvidhan Hatya Diwas strengthens the resolve to crush the mindset of those opposed to democracy.
When was the 1975 Emergency declared and how long did it last?
The national emergency was declared on 25 June 1975 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It suspended fundamental rights, led to mass arrests of opposition leaders, and lasted until March 1977.
How does Congress respond to BJP's Emergency anniversary messaging?
Congress has consistently rejected the BJP's characterisation of the Emergency period and has countered by raising concerns about press freedom, institutional autonomy, and civil liberties under the current government, though specific responses to the 2026 observance are awaited.
