With the Opposition’s “Save the Constitution” poll narrative having damaged the BJP’s prospects in several seats across the country during the Lok Sabha elections, the Union government is set to embark on an extended campaign to celebrate 75 years of the Constitution, The Indian Express has learnt. The government on Friday announced that from next year June 25, the day Emergency was declared in 1975, would be observed as “Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas”. “This year marks the 75 years of the Constituent Assembly adopting the Constitution of India. The idea is to create awareness about what the Constitution stands for, the Assembly debates, and how the government has taken steps to strengthen it,” a source told The Indian Express. The nodal ministry for the campaign will be the Ministry of Culture that in 2022-’23 led a similar campaign, named Azaadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, to mark 75 years of Independence. While the latest campaign’s details are being chalked out, government insiders said events, including exhibitions, would likely be held across India and efforts would be made to ensure large-scale participation of the youth. Union Ministers and possibly even Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to be involved in these events. Sources said during the campaign PM Modi’s celebration of India’s constitutional legacy would also be highlighted through videos of various speeches he has made on the matter. During his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, Modi organised the “Samvidhan Gaurav Yatra” on November 26, 2010. During the yatra, the Constitution was placed on the back of an elephant during a grand procession. Modi led this procession, walking in front of the elephant, along with state ministers and other leaders. Something similar may be recreated later this year, said government insiders. Government sources said though the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution on November 26, 1949, the “75 years of Constitution” campaign might kick off on August 15 or later in the year and conclude on January 26 of next year to coincide with the day in 1950 when the Constitution came into effect and India became a Republic. The government’s move is being viewed as another attempt to counter the Opposition’s allegation during the Lok Sabha election campaign that if the BJP-led NDA returned to power with more than 400 seats it would change the Constitution and end reservation. In reserved constituencies, the BJP’s tally reduced from 77 (out of a total of 131) in 2019 to 55. While the “Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas” will commemorate the “massive contributions” of those who endured the “inhuman pains of the period”, as Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday, the celebration of 75 years of the Constitution will be a positive campaign to spread awareness about the importance of the Constitution and the people who drafted it. On June 24, ahead of the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, PM Modi referred to Emergency as a “black spot” on the Constitution and said, “We will try [to ensure] that such a stain never comes to the country.” The following day, the BJP held nationwide programmes to mark Emergency and its leaders issued statements targeting the Congress.
