Gandhinagar, June 25 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday described the Emergency imposed on June 25, 1975, as an attempt to crush the spirit of the Constitution and push the country into the “darkness of dictatorship”, marking the anniversary of one of the most contentious periods in independent India’s history.

In a post on social media platform X, Patel said the Emergency represented a bid to undermine democratic institutions in the pursuit of power.

“The Emergency imposed on June 25, 1975, was an attempt to crush the spirit of India’s Constitution in the pursuit of power and push the country into the darkness of dictatorship,” he wrote.

The Chief Minister said the period would remain “one of the darkest chapters in the history of independent India” because it involved the destruction of democratic pillars and the curtailment of citizens’ freedoms.

He added that the day is observed as “Samvidhan Hatya Diwas” to ensure younger generations understand democratic values, respect the Constitution and remain aware of what he described as a dark chapter marked by the misuse of power.

“The observance serves as a reminder that the Constitution acts as a protective shield for both the nation’s progress and the rights of its citizens,” he emphasised.

He paid tribute to those who opposed the Emergency, saying they endured severe hardships without yielding to repression and helped restore democratic values.

The Emergency was proclaimed on the night of June 25, 1975, by then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed on the advice of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi under Article 352 of the Constitution. It remained in force for 21 months until March 1977.

During the period, elections were suspended, press censorship was imposed, civil liberties were curtailed, and thousands of political opponents, activists and journalists were detained.

The period continues to be a significant reference point in discussions on constitutional safeguards and democratic accountability.

Educational and constitutional institutions have increasingly highlighted the Emergency as a major challenge faced by Indian democracy, particularly because several fundamental rights were suspended during that time.

–IANS

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