Emergency is grim reminder that democracy must be safeguarded at all costs
T he democracy is a powerful yet fragile political system. It has to be nurtured, its institutions must be strengthened before it becomes truly effective. India had a short brush with autocracy on June 25, 1975, a date etched in the memory of India as the moment when Emergency was imposed by the then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed at the behest of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Fifty years later, the shadow of that night still looms large over the nation’s democratic conscience. It was on this day that the Prime Minister imposed a nationwide Emergency, suspending civil liberties, jailing political opponents, and censoring the press. What unfolded over the next 21 months was a stark deviation from the democratic values enshrined in the Constitution.
To commemorate this chapter and honour the spirit of those who resisted it, the Central Government has announced the annual observance of June 25, as “Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas” — the day when the Constitution was undermined in both letter and spirit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a statement, emphasised that this observance would serve as a reminder of what happens when the Constitution of India is trampled upon. The Emergency years remain a chilling testimony to how fragile democratic systems can become when the checks and balances of power are compromised. The Constitution, which guarantees citizens their fundamental rights, was reduced to a tool of convenience.
The press, which should serve as the fourth pillar of democracy, was shackled. Judges were pressured, critics were imprisoned, and ordinary citizens lived in fear. Dissent was branded as disloyalty, and the very act of questioning authority could land one behind bars. Yet, amidst this darkness, a flame of resistance endured. Opposition leaders, activists, students, journalists, and countless ordinary Indians stood firm. Despite arrests, intimidation, and state surveillance, they refused to surrender their voice. It was their courage and unyielding faith in the democratic process that paved the way for the eventual return to normalcy. When elections were held in 1977, the people of India delivered a resounding verdict, removing the ruling regime from power and reaffirming their faith in democratic ideals. The Lok Sabha, in its resolution, has condemned the Emergency and called it a black chapter in Indian history.
Speaker Om Birla has also praised the strength and resolve of those who fought to restore democracy, reminding the country that such vigilance is not a one-time act but an ongoing duty. Remembering the Emergency is not an exercise in bitterness but a commitment to never forget. It is a reminder that democracy is not self-perpetuating. It demands effort, awareness and above all, the courage to speak when silence is safer. As India marks 50 years since the Emergency, “Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas” must become more than just a symbolic remembrance — it should be a reaffirmation of our collective resolve to guard the democratic institutions and help free dialogue and openness in society. We must strive to promote equality and harmony in all sections of society and be respectful of our diversity. In remembering the darkness, we preserve the light.
