Fifty years on, the government marks the Emergency as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas'

On the 50th anniversary of the 1975 Emergency, the Culture Ministry led commemorations of 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' — a day to honour those who resisted and to reaffirm democracy, constitutional values and citizens' rights.

What happened

• The Ministry of Culture commemorated 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' through a special programme by the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), an autonomous body under the Ministry, in New Delhi.
• Union Culture and Tourism Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat was the chief guest, and the event marked the completion of fifty years of the Emergency imposed in 1975.
• The programme sought to reinforce public awareness about democracy, constitutional values and citizens' rights.
• The Minister said democracy is in the DNA of India and honoured the 'unsung heroes' who resisted, calling the day a marker of the longevity and resilience of India's democracy.
• He emphasised that democracy is not merely electoral politics — it is the freedom of expression and dissent.

For Prelims

• The Emergency (1975-77): A national emergency was proclaimed on 25 June 1975 by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed on the advice of PM Indira Gandhi, under Article 352 (then on the ground of 'internal disturbance'); it lasted until March 1977.
• 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas': 'Constitution Murder Day' — the government notified (2024) 25 June to be observed annually to remember the Emergency and those who resisted it.
• National Emergency (Article 352): Can be declared on grounds of war, external aggression or armed rebellion; during it, Fundamental Rights under Article 19 are suspended, and the enforcement of others can be suspended under Article 359.
• 42nd Amendment (1976): The 'Mini-Constitution' — enacted during the Emergency, it curtailed judicial review and expanded central power (and added 'Socialist, Secular' to the Preamble).
• 44th Amendment (1978): Enacted after the Emergency to add safeguards — replaced 'internal disturbance' with 'armed rebellion', required written Cabinet advice for a proclamation, and protected Articles 20 and 21 from suspension.
• ADM Jabalpur (1976) & Shah Commission: In ADM Jabalpur the SC controversially upheld suspension of habeas corpus (later overruled in K.S. Puttaswamy, 2017); the Shah Commission later inquired into Emergency excesses.
• Don't confuse: A National Emergency (Art 352) is distinct from a President's Rule/State Emergency (Art 356) and a Financial Emergency (Art 360); post-1978, 'internal disturbance' is no longer a ground.

For Mains

Syllabus: GS2.1 · GS1.4 · Linkage L1