New Delhi [India], June 25: Marking the 50th anniversary of the 1975 Emergency, Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led government, alleging that India has been under an “Undeclared Emergency” for the past 11 years and 30 days.
His remarks came as the Centre observed June 25 as ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’, commemorating the imposition of Emergency by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975.
“Over the past 11 years and 30 days, Indian democracy has been under a systematic and dangerous five-fold assault,” Ramesh said in an official statement, accusing the BJP government of attacking constitutional values, weakening democratic institutions, and eroding civil liberties.
He alleged a comprehensive list of violations under the Modi government, including:
- Assaults on the Constitution
- Weakening of Parliament through arbitrary MP suspensions and bypassing committees
- Erosion of judiciary autonomy via delayed appointments and transfers
- Misuse of investigative agencies like ED, CBI, and IT for targeting opposition
- Media intimidation, including pressure on news outlets and arrests of journalists
- Undermining federalism, with attempts to destabilise opposition-led state governments
Referring to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Ramesh said that the BJP sought a “Char Sau Paar” mandate to rewrite the Constitution, but the people voted instead to protect Ambedkar’s legacy and uphold democratic values.
“The people of India denied him that mandate. They voted to preserve, protect, and promote the economic, social, and political justice enshrined in the Constitution,” Ramesh said.
He further criticised the functioning of constitutional bodies like the Election Commission and CAG, calling them “severely compromised” and “irrelevant,” respectively. The Election Commission, he claimed, tailored election phases to favour the ruling party while ignoring communal rhetoric from BJP leaders.
On judiciary, Ramesh alleged the government uses delayed elevations, punitive transfers, and post-retirement postings to coerce judges.
“There has been a definite policy of quiet threats to the judiciary,” he said.
On June 25, 1975, then-President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed proclaimed a state of Emergency under Article 352, citing internal disturbance—a move that suspended civil liberties and press freedom for 21 months.