Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], June 25 : On the 50th anniversary of the imposition of Emergency in India, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Wednesday accused the Congress party of undermining democracy and disrespecting the Constitution for its political gains.
Speaking to ANI, Chief Minister Yadav said, "On this day in 1975, Indira Gandhi ji imposed the Emergency after she had lost elections. For its selfish interests, Congress never respects the law and the Constitution."
He further accused the Congress of hypocrisy, stating that while the party today claims allegiance to Dr BR Ambedkar's legacy, it had historically sidelined and insulted him.
"Today, they are shedding crocodile tears for Dr BR Ambedkar. It would be better if they remembered how they insulted Dr BR Ambedkar and never let him win an election," he said.
The Chief Minister added that the Congress should apologise for what he termed its "past sins," referring to the 21-month Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on June 25, 1975.
The Central government has decided to mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency as 'Samvidhan Hatya Divas'.
On 25 June 1975, then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed issued the Emergency Proclamation under Article 352, citing threats from internal disturbance. The Emergency was declared against a backdrop of mounting political unrest and judicial developments that shook the legitimacy of the ruling leadership.
Meanwhile, observing the 50th anniversary of the Emergency in India, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar recalled participating in the Jayprakash Narayan Movement, opposing the Emergency.
Sharing a social media post, Nitish Kumar said June 25, 1975 marked a 'dark day' in the history of independent India and that the Emergency represented a symbol of dictatorship.
"June 25, 1975, is a day we all remember, when the Emergency was imposed in the country. It is called the dark day in the history of independent India. The Emergency of 1975 was a symbol of the dictatorship of the then government. During the Emergency, restrictions were placed on the freedom of expression of the people," CM Nitish wrote on X.