Modi govt firmly committed to upholding Constitution: Rajnath Singh on Emergency anniversary
New Delhi, June 25
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that June 25 serves not only as a reminder of the Emergency imposed by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975 but also as an important occasion to renew the nation's commitment to democracy, constitutional principles and the rights and freedoms guaranteed to citizens.
His remarks came as the country marked the 51st anniversary of the Emergency declaration, a period that is frequently described by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as one of the darkest phases in the history of independent India's democratic journey.
Reiterating the Centre's position on democratic governance, Singh said that the Modi government remains firmly dedicated to preserving constitutional values and strengthening democratic institutions across the country.
Taking to X, the Defence Minister reflected on the events of June 25, 1975, and their impact on the nation's democratic framework.
"On this day in 1975, the Emergency was imposed in India. The Emergency remains one of the darkest chapters in the history of Indian democracy. During that period, freedom of speech and expression was curtailed, attempts were made to control and undermine the judiciary, and the rights of millions of citizens were violated," Singh wrote.
The senior BJP leader stated that the events of that period demonstrate "that when those in power become authoritarian, the lives of citizens, democratic institutions, and constitutional values come under serious threat".
Emphasising the broader significance of the anniversary, he said the day should not be viewed merely as a historical remembrance but also as an opportunity to reaffirm the country's collective dedication to democratic ideals and constitutional governance.
"Therefore, this day is not only an occasion to remember the past, but also an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to democracy, the Constitution, and the rights and freedoms of citizens. Our government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, remains firmly committed to upholding the Constitution in both letter and spirit and to strengthening India's democratic institutions," Singh said.
The Defence Minister also paid tribute to those who resisted the Emergency and worked to safeguard democratic values during that period.
"The nation remains indebted to all those who stood against the injustices and excesses of the Emergency and courageously defended democracy and the Constitution," he added.
Meanwhile, the BJP will observe 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' (Constitution Murder Day) across Bihar, Haryana and several other parts of the country on Thursday to commemorate the anniversary of the Emergency.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As an outsider looking in, it's fascinating and sobering to see how the Emergency still resonates so deeply in Indian politics. It's a powerful reminder that democracy is fragile everywhere. Kudos to India for remembering and learning from its dark past.
Honest question: Why is the BJP so obsessed with the Emergency? It happened 51 years ago. Meanwhile, what about the present day issues like unemployment, inflation, and farmer protests? Using history to divert attention from current failures is a classic political tactic. 🤔
The Emergency was indeed a dark period - my grandparents still talk about how afraid people were. But I wish our leaders would focus on constructive solutions rather than just condemning the past. What new safeguards are we actually implementing to prevent such abuse again?
As a historian, I find it important that countries confront their difficult pasts. But using history as a political weapon doesn't help. True commitment to democracy means respecting all viewpoints, not just those that serve current political agendas.
Rajnath Singh ji, aapne sahi kaha. Lekin main sochta hoon ki agar sach mein Constitution ki raksha karni hai to opposition ko bhi sunna chahiye aur healthy debate ko promote karna chahiye. Aaj kal toh 'tum voh the, hum ye hain' wali politics chal rahi hai. Genuine concern for democracy should be non-partisan
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.