New Delhi, June 25, 2025 —
On the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, calling the 21-month period from 1975 to 1977 "a dark chapter when democracy was placed under arrest."

Speaking through a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) and at a commemorative event in New Delhi, PM Modi said:

"On this day in 1975, the Congress government imposed the Emergency and turned the entire nation into a prison. Civil liberties were suspended, the press was silenced, and lakhs of people were jailed."

He accused the then Congress leadership, led by Indira Gandhi, of undermining the Constitution to safeguard their own power, particularly highlighting the 42nd Amendment which, he said, was used to centralize authority and weaken institutions like the judiciary and Parliament.

📘 ‘The Emergency Diaries’ Released

As part of the day's observances, a new book titled “The Emergency Diaries – Years That Forged a Leader” was launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The book chronicles Modi’s role as a young RSS volunteer who went underground during the Emergency, helping disseminate pamphlets and mobilize resistance.

🔊 "Samvidhan Hatya Diwas" Declared

The BJP-led government also marked June 25 as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas (Constitution Murder Day), to remember the sacrifice of those who opposed authoritarian rule. PM Modi urged the youth to learn from history and remain vigilant against any attempt to compromise democratic values.

🗣️ Opposition Reacts

The Congress party, meanwhile, hit back.
Senior leader Jairam Ramesh called the commemoration “an attempt to whitewash today’s undemocratic governance.” He said,

“While they remember 1975, they forget what’s happening now. Press freedom, judicial independence, and federalism are all under threat in 2025 too.”

Opposition parties including the AAP and TMC also criticized the government for what they called an "undeclared Emergency" in the country today.

📌 Historical Context:

The Emergency was declared by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on June 25, 1975, after a court found her guilty of electoral misconduct. It lasted for 21 months, during which over 1 lakh people were detained without trial, censorship was imposed, and key constitutional amendments were passed to strengthen executive power.

📊 Why It Matters Today

As India reflects on its past, the Emergency remains a symbol of the fragile nature of democracy — and a political flashpoint between the ruling BJP and the Congress. With general elections on the horizon, the memory of 1975 is being used to frame the present political narrative.