VP Radhakrishnan begins two-day Karnataka visit for Kempegowda anniversary, drug-free conclave
Synopsis
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan’s two-day Bengaluru visit — spanning Kempegowda’s 517th birth anniversary and a national drug-abuse conclave — comes just days after he publicly observed Samvidhan Hatya Diwas, calling the 1975 Emergency ‘one of the darkest chapters in India’s history.’ The visit underscores how the Vice President’s office is navigating both cultural symbolism and policy advocacy simultaneously.
Key Takeaways
Radhakrishnan is on a two-day visit to Karnataka from 28–29 June .
On Saturday , he attended the 517th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Nadaprabhu Sri Kempegowda in Bengaluru .
On Sunday , he will participate in the Nasha Mukt Bharat Conclave at Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) , coinciding with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking .
Ahead of the visit, Radhakrishnan observed Samvidhan Hatya Diwas on 26 June , paying tribute to those who resisted the 1975 Emergency .
The BJP marked the 51st Emergency anniversary with nationwide programmes across Bihar , Haryana , and other states.
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan arrived in Bengaluru on Saturday, 28 June for a two-day official visit to Karnataka, during which he will attend the 517th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Nadaprabhu Sri Kempegowda and participate in a national conclave on drug abuse prevention. The visit, confirmed through an official statement, covers both cultural and public health engagements over the weekend.
Day One: Honouring Nadaprabhu Sri Kempegowda
On Saturday, the Vice President attended the 517th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Nadaprabhu Sri Kempegowda in Bengaluru. Kempegowda, the 16th-century chieftain credited with founding Bengaluru, is a revered figure in Karnataka's cultural and historical identity. The annual observance draws participation from political, civic, and religious leaders across the state.
Day Two: Nasha Mukt Bharat Conclave at RGUHS
On Sunday, 29 June, Radhakrishnan will participate in the Nasha Mukt Bharat Conclave, organised jointly as part of the Foundation Day of the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) and the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking programme. The conclave in Bengaluru is part of a broader national campaign to raise awareness about substance abuse and strengthen drug-free community initiatives across India.
Samvidhan Hatya Diwas Observance
Ahead of the Karnataka visit, the Vice President on Thursday, 26 June observed Samvidhan Hatya Diwas, paying homage to those who resisted the suspension of democratic rights during the Emergency period of 1975. In a post on X, Radhakrishnan said: “On Samvidhan Hatya Diwas, I pay my humble tributes 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 further stated: “The Emergency stands as a solemn reminder of a time when constitutional values were severely tested. Civil liberties were suspended, freedom of expression was curtailed, and institutions central to our democratic framework were undermined.”
The remarks came as India marked the 51st anniversary of the Emergency declaration by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on 25 June 1975 — a 21-month period (25 June 1975 – 21 March 1977) widely regarded as one of the most contentious episodes in independent India’s democratic history.
BJP's Nationwide Samvidhan Hatya Diwas Programmes
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) observed Samvidhan Hatya Diwas across Bihar, Haryana, and several other states on Thursday, with a series of programmes highlighting what the party describes as the Emergency’s corrosive impact on democratic institutions and civil liberties. The nationwide observance coincided with the Vice President’s own tribute, reinforcing the political salience of the anniversary in the current moment.
With the Karnataka visit, Radhakrishnan’s schedule reflects a blend of constitutional duty, cultural outreach, and public health advocacy — a pattern consistent with the office’s ceremonial yet substantive role in national life.
Point of View
But the timing is not. His Samvidhan Hatya Diwas remarks, echoing BJP’s nationwide Emergency-anniversary campaign, position the Vice President’s office in unmistakably political territory just days before the Karnataka visit. The office of the Vice President is constitutionally non-partisan, yet the convergence of messaging with a ruling-party observance invites scrutiny. Whether this is coordination or coincidence, the optics matter in a state where the BJP is in opposition to the Congress government.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan visiting Karnataka?
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan is visiting Karnataka on 28–29 June to attend the 517th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Nadaprabhu Sri Kempegowda in Bengaluru and to participate in the Nasha Mukt Bharat Conclave organised by the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS).
What is the Nasha Mukt Bharat Conclave?
The Nasha Mukt Bharat Conclave is a national event focused on drug abuse prevention and awareness. The Bengaluru edition is being held as part of the Foundation Day of the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) and coincides with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 29 June.
What is Samvidhan Hatya Diwas and why did the Vice President observe it?
Samvidhan Hatya Diwas, or Constitution Murder Day, is observed on 25 June to mark the anniversary of the Emergency declared by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975. Vice President Radhakrishnan paid homage on 26 June to those who defended democratic values during the 21-month Emergency period (1975–1977), calling it ‘one of the darkest chapters in India’s history.’
Who was Nadaprabhu Sri Kempegowda?
Nadaprabhu Sri Kempegowda was a 16th-century chieftain widely credited with founding the city of Bengaluru. His birth anniversary is an important cultural event in Karnataka, drawing participation from political and civic leaders each year.
How did the BJP mark the 51st Emergency anniversary?
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) observed Samvidhan Hatya Diwas across Bihar, Haryana, and several other states on 26 June with programmes highlighting what the party describes as the Emergency’s impact on democratic institutions and civil liberties in India.
