New Delhi: The Centre on Friday announced it would observe June 25 as “Constitution Murder Day” in remembrance of the 1975 Emergency. The decision has triggered a backlash with opposition parties targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
PM Modi referred to the 1975 Emergency as a “dark phase of Indian history” and announced that June 25 will be commemorated annually as Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas to honour those who suffered during that time.
In a post on X, he wrote, “To observe 25th June as #SamvidhaanHatyaDiwas will serve as a reminder of what happens when the Constitution of India was trampled over. It is also a day to pay homage to each and every person who suffered due to the excesses of the Emergency, as Congress unleashed dark phase of Indian history”.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the day would serve as a reminder of the significant sacrifices endured by those who faced the severe hardships of the 1975 Emergency, highlighting their immense contributions.
“On 25 June 1975, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, showing her dictatorial mindset, strangled the soul of Indian democracy by imposing an emergency in the country. Lakhs of people were jailed without any reason and the voice of the media was suppressed. The Government of India has decided to celebrate 25 June every year as ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’, Shah wrote in a post on X.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said, “Congress party is murdering the Constitution and then stages a drama by holding a copy of the Constitution. It is a wrong thing. Those who were persecuted in 1975… the kind of torture done by the Congress party on the innocent people, putting an end to civil rights, freedom of the press, expression, all was finished. To avoid such incidents, (the government has) taken a big step”.
