Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan on Thursday, 25 June 2025 marked Samvidhan Hatya Diwas by honouring those who resisted the suspension of civil liberties during the Emergency of 1975, calling the period 'one of the darkest chapters in India's history.' The observance coincides with the 51st anniversary of the Emergency declaration by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on 25 June 1975.

What the Vice President Said

In a post on X, Radhakrishnan paid tribute to 'all the brave souls who stood firm in defence of democratic values and safeguarded the spirit of our Constitution during one of the darkest chapters in India's history — The Emergency declared in 1975.'

He described the Emergency as 'a solemn reminder of a time when constitutional values were severely tested,' noting that 'civil liberties were suspended, freedom of expression was curtailed, and institutions central to our democratic framework were undermined.'

Radhakrishnan concluded his post with a call to reaffirm commitment to the Constitution's ideals of 'justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.'

BJP's Nationwide Observance

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is observing Samvidhan Hatya Diwas — literally 'Constitution Murder Day' — across Bihar, Haryana, and several other states on Thursday. The party has organised a series of programmes highlighting what it describes as the Emergency's damaging impact on democratic institutions and civil liberties.

This is part of a broader BJP effort to institutionalise the commemoration of the Emergency as a cautionary political milestone, framing it in constitutional rather than purely partisan terms.

What Was the 1975 Emergency

The 1975 Indian Emergency lasted 21 months, from 25 June 1975 to 21 March 1977. During this period, the Indira Gandhi government suspended key democratic norms, curtailed press freedom, and detained political opponents without trial. It is widely regarded as the most authoritarian episode in independent India's post-partition history.

The declaration was made under Article 352 of the Constitution, citing internal disturbance — a justification that remains contested among historians and constitutional scholars.

Historical Context and Significance

India has observed 25 June as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas since the current government formally designated the date for national remembrance. This year's observance carries added weight as it marks the half-century mark since the Emergency was declared, prompting renewed public debate about institutional safeguards and the resilience of Indian democracy.

Notably, the Emergency period saw the suspension of fundamental rights, press censorship, and the controversial 42nd Constitutional Amendment, which critics argue concentrated power in the executive. The subsequent 1977 general election — in which the Indira Gandhi government was voted out — is often cited as evidence of India's democratic self-correction.

As the country reflects on five decades since that episode, attention turns to whether existing constitutional safeguards are robust enough to prevent a recurrence.