‘When democracy was choked’: Cabinet passes resolution to mark 50 years of Emergency imposition

Two minutes’ silence was observed during the Cabinet meeting as tribute to the persons whose constitutionally guaranteed democratic rights were taken away, and who were then subjected to unimaginable horrors, the government resolution said.

The resolution sought to commemorate those who “valiantly resisted the Emergency and its attempt at subversion of the spirit of Indian Constitution, a subversion which began in 1974 with a heavy-handed attempt at crushing the Navnirman Andolan and Sampoorna Kranti Abhiyan,” the resolution said.

The year 2025 marks 50 years of the ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’, the resolution said. “…an unforgettable chapter in the history of India where the Constitution was subverted, the Republic and democratic spirit of India was attacked, federalism was undermined, and fundamental rights, human liberty and dignity were suspended,” the resolution stated.

It said: “The Union Cabinet reaffirmed that the people of India continue to repose unflinching faith in the Indian Constitution and the resilience of the country’s democratic ethos. It is as important for the young as it is for the old to draw inspiration from those who resisted dictatorial tendencies and stood firm to defend our Constitution and its democratic fabric.”

Last July, the government had launched an extensive campaign to celebrate the 75 years of the Constitution in a bid to counter the opposition bloc’s ‘Save the Constitution’ campaign, which had dented the BJP’s seat tally in 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. As part of this campaign, it also announced that from 2025 onwards, June 25, which marked the proclamation of Emergency, would be observed as “Samvidhan Hatya Diwas”.

The Emergency, imposed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on June 25, 1975, lasted 21 months. The period was marked by the detention and jailing of key opposition leaders and saw muzzling of press freedom and fundamental rights.

On Wednesday, Modi, too, paid tribute to those who defended democracy during the period. He added that Samvidhan Hatya Diwas was observed to recall a day when fundamental rights were suspended, and countless political, social and student leaders along with ordinary citizens, were imprisoned.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also unveiled the ‘The Emergency Diaries’ book Wednesday, which is a compilation of Modi’s experiences during the Emergency. “The Emergency Diaries chronicles my journey during the Emergency years. It brought back many memories from the time,” Modi posted on X.

On Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that it was important and necessary that memories of Emergency do not fade away, for the youth to recall challenges to democracy. He also said that the Emergency was an attempt to turn India’s multi-party democracy into an individual’s dictatorship. On Wednesday, Shah also unveiled a book on the Emergency by Prime Minister Modi.