On the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid solemn tribute to those who fought to safeguard India’s democracy during what he described as one of the darkest chapters in the nation’s history. Recalling the events of June 25, 1975, when the Emergency was imposed, Modi emphasized the severe violations of constitutional values and individual freedoms that occurred under the then Congress-led government.
In a series of posts on social media, the Prime Minister said, “No Indian will ever forget the manner in which the spirit of the Constitution was violated and the Parliament was muzzled. The Emergency saw fundamental rights suspended, press freedom crushed, and countless citizens including political leaders, students, and social activists imprisoned.”
Modi also highlighted the lasting impact of the controversial 42nd Amendment, calling it a stark example of the misuse of constitutional power. He particularly noted how the poor and marginalized suffered during that period. “Their dignity was insulted and voices silenced. We must never forget,” he said.
Reflecting on his personal experiences, Modi shared that as a young RSS Pracharak, the anti-Emergency movement became a formative lesson in democratic activism. He also acknowledged a newly released book documenting these experiences, with a foreword by HD Deve Gowda, a key figure in the resistance against the Emergency.
Reaffirming his government’s commitment to constitutional values, Modi called for national unity in upholding democracy and working towards a “Viksit Bharat”—a developed India. “Let us salute every brave soul who stood up against tyranny,” he concluded.
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