Union Home Minister Amit Shah Declares June 25 as Day to Remember Emergency Victims

New Delhi, 12th July 2024: Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Friday that June 25, the date when former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared the Emergency in 1975, will be recognized annually as ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’.

Amit Shah criticized the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi as a severe blow to democracy, stating, “On June 25, 1975, the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, imposed the Emergency, displaying a dictatorial attitude and undermining the core of our democracy. Countless individuals were imprisoned unjustly, and the media was suppressed.” This announcement was shared on X along with a government notification.

Shah further declared that June 25 will now be dedicated to honoring those who suffered during the Emergency, saying, “The Government of India has decided to observe June 25 as ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’ every year. This day will honor the sacrifices of all who faced the brutalities of the 1975 Emergency.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also supported the move, noting on X that June 25 will serve as a day of remembrance for those who endured the hardships of the Emergency. “Observing June 25 as #SamvidhaanHatyaDiwas will remind us of the time when the Indian Constitution was disregarded. It is also an opportunity to honor those who suffered during the Congress’s dark period in Indian history,” he wrote.

25 जून 1975 को तत्कालीन प्रधानमंत्री इंदिरा गाँधी ने अपनी तानाशाही मानसिकता को दर्शाते हुए देश में आपातकाल लगाकर भारतीय लोकतंत्र की आत्मा का गला घोंट दिया था। लाखों लोगों को अकारण जेल में डाल दिया गया और मीडिया की आवाज को दबा दिया गया। भारत सरकार ने हर साल 25 जून को ‘संविधान… pic.twitter.com/KQ9wpIfUTg

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 12, 2024

In response, Congress criticized the decision as a “headline-grabbing exercise,” with Congress leader Jairam Ramesh calling it “another instance of hypocrisy by the non-biological PM who had himself imposed an undeclared Emergency for ten years before being defeated by the people on June 4, 2024 – a date now known as ModiMukti Diwas.”

Ramesh further accused the Prime Minister of systematically attacking the Constitution, referencing past ideological disagreements with the Constitution. “This is a non-biological PM whose ideological lineage had once rejected the Constitution in November 1949 for not being inspired by Manusmriti. For him, democracy seems to be merely about ‘demo-kursi’,” Ramesh added.

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, a Congress unleashed dark phase of… https://t.co/om14K8BiTz

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 12, 2024

During the opening session of the 16th Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Modi had highlighted the importance of safeguarding the Constitution, urging vigilance against any attempts to undermine it, a sentiment echoed by President Droupadi Murmu and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in their speeches. This led to significant opposition protests.