Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas, also referred to as Constitution Murder Day, is observed annually across India on 25th June to mark the declaration of the Emergency in 1975 and to honour those who suffered during its imposition.
- The observance serves as a solemn reminder of the assault on India’s constitutional framework and the importance of protecting democratic principles.
- June 25, 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the declaration of the Emergency in India in 1975 and 2nd observance of Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas.
Background:
i.On 25 June 1975, the then Prime Minister (PM) of India, Indira Gandhi, invoked Article 352 of the Indian Constitution, proclaiming a state of Emergency which lasted 21 months, until it was revoked on 21 March 1977.
- The Emergency was declared by then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, on the advice of PM Indira Gandhi, citing “internal disturbances”.
- The declaration followed the Allahabad High Court verdict on 12 June 1975, which found Indira Gandhi guilty of electoral malpractices, annulled her 1971 election, and barred her from holding elected office.
ii.The day was officially designated as Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India (GoI) in 2024.
iii.The first observance of the Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas was held on June 25, 2024.
Significance:
i.The day reminds us of the suppression of civil liberties and the curtailment of democratic values during the Emergency.
ii.It honours those who resisted the Emergency and underscores the importance of safeguarding the Indian Constitution.
iii.26 November is observed as Constitution Day to mark the adoption of the Indian Constitution, while 25 June is observed to remember the impact of the Emergency on Indian democracy.
Key Features of the Emergency Period:
1.Suspension of Fundamental Rights:
- Fundamental rights, including habeas corpus, were suspended.
- Over 100,000 political opponents, activists, and journalists were jailed without trial under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA)
2.Press Censorship:
- Mandatory pre-publication government scrutiny of news.
- Several newspapers, such as the Indian Express, faced electricity cuts; over 250 journalists were jailed.
3.Constitutional Amendments:
- The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, also called the “Mini-Constitution”, introduced terms like “Socialist,” “Secular,” and “Integrity” into the Preamble.
- It also reduced the powers of the judiciary, limiting its ability to review government actions.
2025 Events:
On 25 June 2025, the Ministry of Culture (MoC), in collaboration with the Government of Delhi, organised a commemorative event at Thyagaraj Stadium, New Delhi (Delhi).
- The event was graced by Union Minister Amit Shah, MHA, Minstry of Cooperation; Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY); Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Ministry of Tourism (MoT) and Ministry of Culture (MoC).
i.Special exhibitions were conducted under the themes: “Bharat – Mother of Democracy,” “Dark Days of Democracy,” and “Strengthening Democracy.”
ii.Union Minister Amit Shah flagged off the #LongLiveDemocracy Yatra, a nationwide campaign by MYBharat volunteers to spread awareness on democratic values, especially among the youth.
iii.MoC is also coordinating the launch of the “Long Live Democracy” exhibition at 50 key locations in each State and Union Territory (UT) across India.
