Guwahati (Assam) [India], June 25 : On the 50th anniversary of the 1975 emergency, 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.
https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1937714870067298392
Earlier on Tuesday, on the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, RSS and BJP Leader Bhubana Nanda Tripathy, who was jailed during the Emergency, said, "...That was a dark period. It happened because Indira Gandhi wanted to save her chair. There was no foreign invasion. There was no anarchy in the country either. But she imposed the Emergency to save herself. We were college students at that time.... Opposition leaders were put in jail. All fundamental rights were abolished during that time... The Constitution was murdered."
The Emergency, declared on this day in 1975, remains one of the darkest chapters in India's post-independence history. Fundamental rights were suspended, press freedoms curtailed, and democratic institutions were silenced. In 2024, the Government of India officially notified June 25 as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas to ensure that this critical period is not forgotten and the sanctity of democracy is consistently upheld.
The Union Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Delhi government, will commemorate Samvidhan Hatya today at Thyagaraj Stadium, New Delhi, marking 50 years since the imposition of Emergency in India in 1975. The solemn occasion will serve as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding democratic values and constitutional rights.
Union Minister Amit Shah will flag off the "Long Live Democracy Yatra" by MYBharat volunteers. The Yatra will travel across the country to spread awareness about constitutional values, democratic rights, and the lessons from the Emergency.