Latest news with #SamvidhaanHatyaDiwas'
Mint
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Mint
'Conspiracy to destroy Constitution': Congress slams RSS, BJP over call to review 'Socialist', 'Secular' in Preamble
The Congress party has accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of being "anti-constitutional" after Sangh General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale called for reviewing the words 'socialist' and 'secular' in the Preamble of the Constitution. The RSS, the ruling BJP's ideological mentor, on Thursday called for reviewing the words 'socialist' and 'secular' in the Constitution's Preamble. It said they were added during the Emergency and were never part of the Constitution drafted by BR Ambedkar. "The preamble of the Constitution, Baba Saheb Ambedkar never had these words. During the Emergency, when fundamental rights were suspended, Parliament did not work, the judiciary became lame, then these words were added," RSS General Secretary Hosabale said, addressing an event Dr Ambedkar International Centre in the national capital on the Emergency. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari was also present at the event. June 25 marked 50 years of Emergency – a 21-month period from 1975 to 1977 when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency across the country by citing internal and external threats to the country. Last year, Modi government decided to observe June 25, the day the Emergency was declared in 1975, as 'Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas' to commemorate the 'massive contributions' of those who endured 'inhuman pains of the period', Hosabale said discussions were held on this issue later, but no effort was made to remove them from the preamble. "So, whether they should remain in the preamble should be considered," he added. The Congress party responded in a Hindi post on X that it would never allow the BJP-RSS "conspiracy" to succeed and would oppose any such move. "The thinking of the RSS-BJP is anti-constitutional. Now, RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale has demanded a change in the preamble of the Constitution," the Congress said in a post on X. "This is a conspiracy to destroy Baba Saheb's Constitution, which the RSS-BJP has been hatching for long," the Congress said. The opposition party claimed that when the Constitution was implemented, the RSS opposed it and burned its copies. "In the Lok Sabha elections, BJP leaders openly said that they needed more than 400 seats in Parliament to change the Constitution, but the people taught them a lesson. "Now, once again, they are engaged in their conspiracies, but Congress will not let their intentions succeed at any cost. Hail Constitution," the Congress said. This is a conspiracy to destroy Baba Saheb's Constitution. Key Takeaways The demand to revise the Preamble reflects underlying political tensions between BJP-RSS and Congress. Historical context of the Emergency period remains significant in contemporary political discourse. The opposition's strong defense of the Constitution highlights the ongoing battle over India's democratic values.
Indian Express
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
BJP slams Congress on 50th Anniversary of Emergency, marks ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas' with exhibition in Delhi
To mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, imposed on June 25, 1975, by the then Indira Gandhi-led Congress government, the BJP government in Delhi commemorated the day as 'Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas' by inaugurating a special exhibition at Central Park in Connaught Place. The exhibition was organised by the government's Department of Art, Culture and Language, in collaboration with the Hindi Academy. It was inaugurated by Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Paying tribute to those who resisted the Emergency, the CM drew a parallel between the pro-democracy movement of 1975 and India's freedom struggle. She lashed out at the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's government, calling it 'cruel, dictatorial, and insensitive.' 'The 21-month period that began on June 25, 1975, saw millions jailed without cause. There was no appeal, no argument, no hearing — it was the darkest chapter in the history of Indian democracy,' she said. Taking a dig at the Congress, she remarked: 'Those who once crushed democracy now ironically roam with the Constitution in their pockets, despite having disrespected it in the past.' She recalled the sacrifices of BJP leaders and veterans like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, LK Advani, Madan Lal Khurana, and Balraj Madhok, who were imprisoned during the Emergency. 'Their stories must be remembered by future generations,' she said. 'Such dark days will never return to this country, and the people will not tolerate any dictatorial attempt,' she said, adding that both the Centre and Delhi government remain committed to upholding the Constitution and its democratic values. She also announced a year-long series of programmes to honour the 'warriors of democracy' who fought against the Emergency. Minister of Art and Culture Kapil Mishra, whose department had curated the exhibition, said it showcases rare documents, many being displayed publicly for the first time. 'These documents expose how democracy was murdered during the Emergency,' he said. 'Overnight, the entire opposition was thrown behind bars, the courts were stripped of power, journalists were jailed, and media establishments shut down. The way India's democracy was attacked is something the country must never forget,' Mishra said. He called the exhibition 'not just a preservation of history, but a reminder of how democracy was defended through struggle and sacrifice.'
India Gazette
25-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Emergency was blot on democratic history of nation: Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel
Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], June 26 (ANI): On the occasion of the completion of 50 years since the imposition of the Emergency in the country, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, during the 'Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas' programme, clearly stated that the Emergency was a blot on the democratic history of the nation. Recalling the 'serious assault' made by the then government and the Prime Minister on the values of the Constitution, the Chief Minister said that Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas is observed so that the present and future generations of the nation remain aware of this dark chapter and awaken a sense of pride and dignity towards the Constitution. CM Patel highlighted that during the Emergency years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi disguised himself to fight for the Constitution and democratic values. He pointed out that the then government compromised the Constitution for governance purposes. CM emphasised that the Prime Minister places the Constitution and national interest above all, showcasing profound respect for it to the nation and the world. The Chief Minister said that while the Emergency was imposed when the Constitution completed 25 years, diminishing its glory, on the 60th anniversary of the Constitution, PM Modi, as the then Chief Minister of Gujarat, honoured it through a Samvidhaan Gaurav Yatra with the Constitution placed atop a royal elephant. The Chief Minister reiterated his commitment to upholding the Constitution's spirit--'We the People'--to build Viksit Bharat under the Prime Minister's leadership. This will be achieved through 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas.' The Prime Minister has enacted significant reforms, such as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, abolishing Triple Talaq, and the Citizenship Amendment Act, while respecting constitutional values. He has also protected citizens' interests by abrogating Articles 35A and 370 to build Akhand Bharat. The Chief Minister emphasised his role in safeguarding the Constitution for the nation's benefit. Law and Judiciary Minister Rushikesh Patel, calling the citizens the guardians of democracy, stated that to ensure India, governed by democratic principles, never strays towards dictatorship, it is essential for citizens to remain aware of their fundamental rights. 'In the past, the then government imposed the Emergency and snatched away these rights. Therefore, under the guidance of PM Modi, the Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas-2025 programme is being organised across the country to raise public awareness so that today's youth can learn from this event and such a grave mistake is never repeated,' he said. The minister elaborated on the idea behind celebrating Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas, stating that as per the Indian Constitution, citizens are entitled to several fundamental rights from birth, including freedom of speech and expression. In the past, on this very day--at midnight on June 25, 1975--the then government misused Article 352 of the Constitution to impose Emergency in the country in order to maintain its dominance and grip on power. During the Emergency, fundamental constitutional rights of citizens were taken away, and both democracy and the Constitution were attacked. Today marks the completion of 50 years of that disgraceful incident. The day is being commemorated as 'Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas' to raise public awareness about it. During the event, retired judge of the Gujarat High Court and legal expert Ravikumar Tripathi provided detailed insights on the Indian Constitution, the fundamental rights enshrined in it, amendments made to it in the past, misuse of various constitutional provisions, and the imposition of Emergency in 1975. He also sensitised the citizens about their constitutional rights. Additionally, Commissioner of Youth Services and Cultural Activities Department Alok Kumar Pandey extended a formal welcome and presented a holistic overview of the event at the start of the programme. The Chief Minister, along with dignitaries and citizens, watched a documentary and a play about the Emergency. The programme was attended by Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation Mayor Miraben Patel, Gandhinagar North MLA Rita Patel, Secretary of the Parliamentary and Legal Affairs Department K M Lala, Gandhinagar District Collector, M K Dave, Gandhinagar District Development Officer, B J Patel, as well as various officials of the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation, government officers and employees, and a large number of citizens. (ANI)
The Hindu
25-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Emergency was not a political event but a direct betrayal of the Indian Constitution, says Pawan Kalyan
Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party (JSP) chief Pawan Kalyan said that India marked the 50th anniversary of the imposition of Emergency on June 25, 1975 — a period widely regarded as one of the darkest chapters in the country's democratic history. Across the country, political leaders, civil society groups, and citizens observed ''Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas' to remember the suspension of Constitutional rights and to pay tribute to those who resisted the authoritarian crackdown. In a post on X on Wednesday, Mr. Pawan Kalyan said declaring that the Emergency was not merely a political event but a direct betrayal of the Indian Constitution, several leaders recalled how civil liberties were trampled upon, the press was muzzled, and fundamental rights were suspended under the then Congress regime led by Indira Gandhi. Prominent Opposition leaders of the time — including Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L. K. Advani, George Fernandes, and Morarji Desai — were imprisoned for voicing dissent and defending democracy. As we mark 50 years of this constitutional betrayal, we observe 'Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas' to remember the sacrifices of those who stood fearlessly against dictatorship and upheld the dignity of our democracy. 'Let us remember the sacrifices made by the Leader who stood against oppression, as well as the anguish of millions whose voices were silenced. Even today, we must guard against any attempt to compromise our Constitution in the name of politics,' he added.
NDTV
25-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"Aim Was To Preserve Dynastic Rule": Amit Shah On Emergency
New Delhi: The Emergency, imposed 50 years ago, by a despotic ruler, whose sole aim was to preserve her dynastic rule, was one of the darkest chapters in India's history, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday. Mr. Shah said the Emergency was not a national necessity but a reflection of the anti-democratic mentality of the Congress and just "one person", a reference to then prime minister Indira Gandhi. The Indira Gandhi government imposed the Emergency on June 25, 1975. The Modi government observes this day as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas'. "Emergency, imposed 50 years ago, by a despotic ruler, whose sole aim was to preserve her dynastic rule, was one of the darkest chapters in India's history," the home minister posted on X. Emergency, imposed 50 years ago, by a despotic ruler, whose sole aim was to preserve her dynastic rule, was one of the darkest chapters in India's history. I was a Bal Swayamsevak of RSS then and heard firsthand the excesses and injustices during the dark days of Emergency. The… — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 25, 2025 Mr. Shah, who was just 11 years old in 1975, said he was a 'Bal Swayamsevak' of the RSS then and heard firsthand the excesses and injustices during the dark days of the Emergency. He said the memories of that time, though blurry, as he was very young then, the suppression, the torture, the blatant assault on democratic values were still vivid in his memories. "I take immense pride in having been associated with a movement that stood up against this tyranny, and with a leader who fearlessly raised his voice to protect Bharat's democracy and its Constitution," he said. Paying tributes to those who suffered after the imposition of Emergency by the Indira Gandhi government, Mr. Shah said the day reminds everyone that when those in power become dictatorial, the people have the power to overthrow them. The home minister said the Emergency was the "Age of Injustice of Congress's hunger for power". "This day tells us that when power becomes dictatorial, the people have the power to overthrow it," he said in another post on 'X' in Hindi. "The Emergency was not a national necessity, but a reflection of the "anti-democratic mentality" of the Congress and one person," the minister said. He said freedom of the press was crushed, the hands of the judiciary were tied and social workers were put in jail. "The countrymen raised the slogan of 'sinhasan khali karo' (vacate the throne) and uprooted the dictatorial Congress. A heartfelt tribute to all the heroes who sacrificed their lives in this struggle," he said. Last year, Mr. Shah had announced that the Modi government would observe June 25 as the 'Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas' to commemorate the "massive contributions" of those who endured "inhuman pain" during the period. He had also said the observance of 'Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas' will help keep the eternal flame of individual freedom and the defence of democracy alive in every Indian, thus preventing "dictatorial forces" like the Congress from "repeating those horrors". A gazette notification to this effect noted that the Emergency was declared on June 25, 1975, following which there was "gross abuse of power by the government of the day and people of India were subjected to excesses and atrocities".
