New Delhi [India], June 25: Marking the 50th anniversary of the 1975 Emergency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday sharply criticised the then-Congress government, calling the period one of the “darkest chapters” in India’s democratic history. The day, observed as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas, commemorates the suspension of civil liberties and democratic rights during Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s rule.
In a series of posts on X, PM Modi paid tribute to those who resisted the Emergency and defended India’s democratic values.
“We salute every person who stood firm in the fight against the Emergency! These were the people… who worked closely with each other with one aim: to protect India’s democratic fabric,” he posted.
He noted that the collective resistance eventually forced the government to hold elections, which Congress “badly lost,” leading to the restoration of democracy.
Between June 25, 1975, and March 21, 1977, the Emergency led to mass arrests, censorship of the press, and curtailment of basic freedoms. PM Modi said the Constitution was subverted, Parliament silenced, and judicial independence undermined.
“No Indian will ever forget the manner in which the spirit of our Constitution was violated… The 42nd Amendment is a prime example of their shenanigans,” he stated, referring to the controversial constitutional changes made during the Emergency.
He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to constitutional values, progress, and inclusion.
“We also reiterate our commitment to strengthening the principles in our Constitution and working together to realise our vision of a Viksit Bharat,” he added.
The 1975 Emergency was declared under Article 352 by then-President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, citing internal disturbances. While previous emergencies were declared during wars (1962 and 1971), this was the first imposed during peacetime, amid political and judicial turbulence.
PM Modi’s remarks were a pointed reminder of the dangers of authoritarianism and the enduring strength of India’s democratic institutions.