On the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress, calling the 1975-77 period “one of the darkest chapters in India’s democratic history.” In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Modi marked the day as “Samvidhan Hatya Diwas” (Constitution Murder Day), underscoring how the Emergency trampled on constitutional values, civil liberties, and democratic institutions.
Key Points from PM Modi’s Remarks:
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“Democracy was placed under arrest”:Modi accused the then Congress regime, under Indira Gandhi, of suspending fundamental rights, silencing Parliament, curbing press freedom, and jailing political opponents, students, and citizens during the Emergency.
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Attack on Judiciary and Constitution:He cited the 42nd Constitutional Amendment as a glaring example of how the government tried to curtail judicial independence and concentrate power in the hands of the Centre.
“The 42nd Amendment is a prime example of their shenanigans,” he wrote.
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Violation of Poor and Marginalised Rights:Modi stated that the poor and downtrodden were "particularly targeted" and had their "dignity insulted" during this period, referring to forced sterilization campaigns and brutal crackdowns in slum areas under Sanjay Gandhi’s controversial initiatives.
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Tribute to Resisters of the Emergency:He praised those who “stood firm” against authoritarianism, calling their struggle vital in forcing fresh elections in 1977 — which resulted in the Congress party’s electoral defeat, particularly in the Hindi heartland.
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Commitment to Constitutional Values:Modi reiterated his government’s dedication to democracy and pledged to uphold the vision of a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) in alignment with constitutional ideals.
Historical Context:
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The Emergency (June 25, 1975 – March 21, 1977) was imposed after the Allahabad High Court invalidated Indira Gandhi’s election for electoral malpractice. Facing political instability and mass protests (notably by Jayaprakash Narayan and the Janata movement), Gandhi declared Emergency under Article 352, citing “internal disturbance.”
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It led to:
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Suspension of civil liberties
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Arbitrary arrests of opposition leaders
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Censorship of the media
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Centralisation of power
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Controversial constitutional amendments
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The Congress’s defeat in 1977, following the Emergency, was the first major loss for the party since Independence, and brought the Janata Party to power.
Political Messaging:
By invoking the Emergency, Modi not only reminds citizens of a repressive episode under Congress rule but also draws a sharp ideological line between the BJP’s claimed commitment to constitutional democracy and what it frames as Congress’s legacy of authoritarianism. The timing, symbolism, and rhetoric are likely intended to mobilize political sentiment ahead of key state elections and the 2029 general election cycle.
This remembrance also fits into the BJP’s long-standing strategy of keeping historical grievances alive in public memory, especially to counteract the Congress party’s legacy as India's dominant post-independence political force.
