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Key Points

Assam Minister Bimal Borah declared India's Constitution was "murdered" during the 1975 Emergency. BJP leaders including CM Himanta Sarma accused Congress of hypocrisy while commemorating Samvidhan Hatya Diwas. Vice President Dhankhar emphasized educating youth about this democratic breakdown, praising Justice HR Khanna's historic dissent. The remarks come on the 50th anniversary of Indira Gandhi's Emergency imposition.

Key Points: Assam Minister Bimal Borah Marks 50 Years Since Constitution Murdered

  • Assam CM Sarma accuses Congress of strangling Constitution
  • VP Dhankhar urges youth to remember Emergency dark days
  • Justice HR Khanna hailed as democracy's lone dissenter
  • Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi govt in 1975
3 min read

Country's sacred Constitution was murdered 50 years ago: Assam Minister Bimal Borah

Assam Minister Bimal Borah calls Emergency "Constitution murder" as BJP leaders slam Congress on Samvidhan Hatya Diwas

"Our country's sacred Constitution was murdered 50 years ago - Bimal Borah"

Guwahati, June 25

Commemorating 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas', Assam Minister Bimal Borah said that the country's sacred Constitution was "murdered" 50 years ago and the rights of people were taken away.

"Our country's sacred Constitution was murdered 50 years ago... The rights of our country's people were taken away by... Remembering that day, we organised a press meet on Constitution Hatya Diwas today," Borah told reporters on Wednesday.

Earlier today, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hit out at Congress, saying that those who themselves strangled the constitution are now posing as its protectors.

Sarma paid tribute on Wednesday to the brave men and women who stood firm in upholding the Constitution during those dark times.

"Those who themselves strangled the Constitution are now posing as its protectors. 25 June ~ A reminder of the darkest chapter in India's democracy. Never forget the dark days of the Emergency,' he said in a post on X.

"As we mark 50 years of this brutal episode, India pays tribute to the brave men and women who stood firm to uphold the Constitution during those dark times," the Assam CM asserted, adding that it was solely due to their courageous efforts and valiant sacrifices that the Congress party was brought to its "knees" - marking the end of a "shameful" chapter in our history.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said that young people cannot afford to forget the "darkest period" of Indian democracy and emphasised the need to remember those responsible for undermining the Constitution and democratic values.

"...Young people cannot forget or afford not to learn about that darkest period (Emergency). Very thoughtfully, the government of the day decided that this day would be celebrated as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas'. The celebration will be - that it (Emergency) will never happen again. The celebration will be about knowing about those guilty people who allowed such transgressions of humanity's rights and the spirit of the Constitution. Who they were, why they did...", he said.

Vice President Dhankhar recalled the dissenting voice of Justice HR Khanna during that time, stating, "In the Supreme Court at the time, one judge, HR Khanna, had dissented. A leading newspaper in the US had remarked that if ever democracy returns to 'Bharat', a monument will surely be built for HR Khanna, who held his ground."

The Indira Gandhi government had imposed the Emergency on June 25, 1975. The day is observed by the government as 'Samvidhan Hatya Divas'.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
Emergency was indeed a black mark on our democracy. But we must also acknowledge that every political party has made mistakes. Instead of just blaming, let's focus on strengthening constitutional values today. Justice Khanna's courage should inspire all institutions to stand firm.
P
Priya M.
While remembering Emergency is important, calling it "Samvidhan Hatya Diwas" seems too dramatic. Our Constitution survived that period and came out stronger. We should celebrate its resilience rather than keep reopening old wounds. Let's build, not just blame! 🇮🇳
A
Arjun S.
As a young Indian, I had only read about Emergency in textbooks. This commemoration makes me realize how precious our freedoms are. We must guard against any attempts to undermine democratic institutions, regardless of which party is in power. #NeverAgain
S
Sunita R.
My parents lived through Emergency and their stories are terrifying. Press censorship, forced sterilizations, arbitrary arrests... We must teach this history properly so new generations understand why democracy matters. But the tone should be educational, not political.
V
Vikram J.
While Congress committed mistakes during Emergency, the current ruling party shouldn't act holier-than-thou. Democracy is eroded slowly - through intimidation of media, misuse of agencies, and weakening of institutions. The real tribute would be to strengthen all pillars of democracy equally.
N
Neha P.
The Assam CM is right about remembering Emergency, but why only target Congress? Many regional parties supported it back then. Also, today we face new challenges to constitutional values - from hate speech to attacks on minorities. Let's have an honest discussion about ALL threats to our democracy.

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