Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], June 26 : As the Union Cabinet passed a resolution to observe the 50th anniversary of the Emergency as 'Samvidhan Hatya Divas', Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, on Thursday, said that the government is putting this forward to the public so the dark day does not repeat.
Addressing the media in Shimla, Rijiju said, "Yesterday in the Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we passed a resolution. India is the largest democracy in the world...democracy should stay alive, that's our responsibility."
"On June 25, 1975, in the wee hours, the Emergency was imposed. The media suffered the Emergency's biggest rage as the media was strangled," he added.
On Samvidhan Hatya Divas, the Union Minister said, "Today, when 50 years of Emergency...we are bringing this among the public so such a dark day does not repeat in the history of India. So, we observed this as Samvidhan Hatya Divas. The Cabinet passed it as the Cabinet has the responsibility to run the state.
Remembering the Emergency, he said that leaders were imprisoned, and one family became bigger than the nation.
"When the Emergency was imposed, all big leaders were jailed...One family became bigger than the nation. When one family, one person, becomes above the Constitution, democracy dies. So we should not forget it as a 50-year-old incident, but it should be remembered so that no leader or citizen repeats it," he said.
Meanwhile, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday observed the 50th anniversary of the Emergency by attending a special screening of a program held in Margao, as part of a nationwide initiative to reflect on the historic period.
The screening was conducted at multiple locations across the state and the country, drawing participation from citizens, students, and party workers.
Speaking to ANI after the event, CM Sawant said, "On the completion of 50 years of Emergency, a program is being organised here in Margao. The screening of this program is being conducted everywhere...We received a good response here...It is important to observe this day for the future generations..."
He emphasised that remembering the Emergency was crucial not only for preserving democratic values but also to ensure that future generations understand the consequences of curbing civil liberties.
Between 25 June 1975 and 21 March 1977, India was placed under a state of Emergency under Article 352 of the Constitution. On 25 June 1975, the then-President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed issued the Emergency Proclamation under Article 352, citing threats from internal disturbance.