Politics

Cabinet Condemns 1975 Emergency, PM Modi Urges Citizens to Protect Democracy

Marking the 50th anniversary of the Emergency declared by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday passed a resolution denouncing what it described as a serious attack on India’s democracy.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw spoke to the media after the cabinet meeting, mentioning that a two-minute silence was held to honor those who lost their constitutional rights and endured terrible atrocities during the 21-month Emergency period.

As per government officials, Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed his cabinet members that it is essential for the youth of today to grasp the threats associated with authoritarianism. “It is our shared responsibility to protect and enhance our democracy,” he stated

Samvidhan Hatya Diwas: A Reminder of Democratic Resilience

Vaishnaw called the Emergency Samvidhan Hatya Diwas (Constitutional Murder Day), characterizing it as a memorable event when the Constitution was compromised, federalism diminished, and fundamental rights were revoked.

He highlighted that the resolution approved by the Cabinet reaffirms India’s steadfast faith in its Constitution and the lasting power of its democratic customs. “It is essential for both younger and older generations to seek inspiration from those who courageously opposed dictatorial powers,” he stated

PM Modi Releases Book Chronicling His Emergency Experience

To mark the occasion, PM Modi also unveiled a book named “The Emergency Diaries – Years that Forged a Leader”, published by BlueKraft. The book describes his position as a young RSS pracharak during the Emergency and considers how the experience influenced his dedication to democratic principles.

In a message on X (previously Twitter), Modi reflected on the bleak period of 1975-77, when civil rights were curtailed, opposition figures imprisoned, and the press faced severe censorship. “He expressed that it felt like democracy itself had been confined by the Congress regime at that time,” he wrote.

He urged citizens who experienced the Emergency—or whose families were affected by it—to post their stories on social media to inform the youth about the dangers of authoritarian governance

What Happened in 1975?

The Emergency was formally announced on June 25, 1975, following the Supreme Court’s conditional stay on the Allahabad High Court ruling that nullified Indira Gandhi’s Lok Sabha election. The action resulted in extensive detentions of political rivals, media suppression, and the halt of civil liberties.

It continued until March 21, 1977, when it was ultimately removed, resulting in a significant electoral loss for the Congress in the subsequent general elections

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