On the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a fierce critique of the Congress, accusing the then Indira Gandhi-led government of placing democracy “under arrest” and trampling upon the spirit of the Indian Constitution. In a strongly worded message shared on social media, PM Modi called the 21-month Emergency one of the darkest chapters in India’s democratic journey, reaffirming his government’s commitment to protect constitutional values and uphold democratic ideals.
Emergency as a Constitutional Betrayal
Marking the solemn anniversary on June 25, the Prime Minister reflected on the sweeping authoritarian measures taken during the Emergency, declared in 1975. PM Modi highlighted how fundamental rights were suspended, press freedom was crushed, and thousands of political opponents, activists, students and ordinary citizens were imprisoned.
He wrote, “The values enshrined in the Constitution were set aside, fundamental rights suspended, press freedom extinguished and a large number of political leaders, social workers, students and ordinary citizens jailed.” According to him, it was a time when India’s democratic institutions were under severe assault and the people were silenced through fear and coercion.
PM Modi took particular aim at the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution, introduced during the Emergency, calling it a manipulative move to consolidate power. “It was as if the Congress Government in power at that time placed democracy under arrest,” he said. The amendment, widely criticised by constitutional experts, made sweeping changes to the Preamble, curtailed judicial review, and tilted the balance of power heavily in favour of the Centre. The Janata government that came to power in 1977 rolled back many of those changes through the 43rd and 44th Amendments.
Saluting the Resistance
While sharply criticising the Congress, PM Modi also paid tribute to those who resisted the Emergency. He praised people from all backgrounds and ideologies who united in defiance of authoritarianism and stood firm to protect the country’s democratic foundation.
“Salute to all those great men and women who courageously opposed the Emergency. They belonged to different ideologies but came together with a single mission—to defend democracy,” PM Modi said. He recalled how this collective resistance forced the then-Congress government to lift the Emergency and call for fresh elections in 1977—an election in which they were comprehensively defeated.
The Prime Minister underlined how the Emergency was not just a political episode but a humanitarian and constitutional crisis. “The poor, marginalised and downtrodden were particularly targeted, their voices muzzled and dignity insulted,” he said. He emphasised that the scars of that period remain a warning against the misuse of power and the subversion of constitutional norms.
Emergency to Be Marked as ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’
The PM Modi government has declared June 25 as “Samvidhan Hatya Diwas” to annually commemorate the Emergency and to serve as a reminder of the fragility of democratic freedoms when constitutional safeguards are overridden.
PM Modi reaffirmed his government’s mission to build a developed India (“Viksit Bharat”) grounded in constitutional values and inclusive progress. “We also reiterate our commitment to strengthening the principles in our Constitution and working together to realise our vision of a Viksit Bharat. May we scale new heights of progress and fulfil the dreams of the poor and downtrodden,” he said.
The Emergency, which lasted from June 25, 1975 to March 21, 1977, was declared under Article 352 of the Constitution, citing “internal disturbances.” The move gave the central government sweeping powers, curtailed civil liberties and led to mass arrests of opposition leaders and dissenters. Following public outrage and internal resistance, the Emergency was withdrawn and elections were held, resulting in Congress’ historic defeat and the rise of the Janata Party.
By invoking the Emergency on its 50th anniversary, the Prime Minister not only sharpened his political attack on the Congress but also reignited the national memory of a period marked by the suspension of democracy—framing it as a moment of reckoning for the country and a lesson for the future.
