PM Modi marks Emergency anniversary as Constitution Murder Day, calls for protecting democracy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday observed the anniversary of the Emergency imposed in 1975 and called it “Samvidhan Hatya Divas”, which means Constitution Murder Day. He said the day reminds the country of a dark time in India’s history when democracy and citizens’ rights were badly affected.

In a message shared on social media platform X, PM Modi said the Emergency was one of the darkest chapters in Indian democracy. He said it was a period when people lost many of their freedoms and the Constitution was weakened.

The Prime Minister urged people to stay alert and protect democracy. He said every citizen must remain committed to saving the Constitution, democratic institutions, and fundamental rights.

Modi also paid tribute to all those leaders, activists, and ordinary citizens who stood against the Emergency and fought for democracy. He said their struggle and sacrifice should never be forgotten.

The Emergency remains one of the most debated and sensitive periods in Indian political history. Even after many decades, it continues to be remembered as a warning about how important freedom and democracy are.

For many people, June 25 is not just another date. It is a day to remember how quickly democratic rights can be taken away and why citizens must stay aware and informed.

What happened during the Emergency

The Emergency in India was declared on June 25, 1975, by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It continued for almost 21 months and ended on March 21, 1977.

It was officially announced by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed under Article 352 of the Constitution. The reason given for the Emergency was “internal disturbance.”

At that time, India was facing political unrest. There were protests across the country led by veteran leader Jayaprakash Narayan, also known as JP. He had called for a mass movement against corruption and demanded the resignation of Indira Gandhi.

At the same time, the Allahabad High Court gave a major judgment against Indira Gandhi. The court found her guilty of electoral malpractice in the 1971 Lok Sabha elections and declared her election invalid.

This created a huge political crisis.

Soon after, the Emergency was declared.

During this period, many major changes took place. The government got more power, and many democratic rights were suspended.

Thousands of opposition leaders were arrested and sent to jail. Some of the well-known leaders arrested included Jayaprakash Narayan, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, LK Advani, George Fernandes, and many others.

The media also faced strict censorship. Newspapers could not publish anything without government approval. Many journalists were stopped from reporting freely.

People’s right to speak, protest, and question the government became limited.

Fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19, 21, and 22 were affected. These rights protect equality, freedom of speech, personal liberty, and protection against arrest.

Many citizens lived in fear during that time.

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Leaders react and political debate continues

Along with PM Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also remembered the Emergency and called it a dark phase in India’s democratic journey.

He said that during those months, freedom of speech was restricted and millions of people suffered because their rights were taken away.

Rajnath Singh praised PM Modi’s leadership and said the present government is committed to protecting democracy and constitutional values.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has often criticised the Congress party over the Emergency. BJP leaders say it was a time when power was misused and people faced great injustice.

According to the BJP, the Emergency is proof of how democracy can be damaged if too much power is concentrated in one place.

On the other hand, Congress leaders have in the past said that mistakes were made but the country moved forward after learning from that period.

The Emergency ended in 1977 when elections were held. The Congress party lost, and the Janata Party came to power. It was seen as a major victory for democracy.

Today, the Emergency is taught in schools, discussed in politics, and remembered by many as a lesson in protecting freedom.

PM Modi’s message on this anniversary again brings focus on that chapter of history. His appeal is clear: democracy must be protected at all times.

As India remembers the Emergency after more than 50 years, the day serves as a reminder that the Constitution, freedom of speech, and citizens’ rights are the foundation of the country. Many believe that remembering history is important so that such events are never repeated again.