Delhi, 25 June (H.S.): The Union Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Delhi Government, will observe Samvidhan Hatya Diwas today on Wednesday at Thyagaraj Stadium,New Delhi, marking 50 years since the Emergency's imposition in India in 1975. This significant event aims to highlight the necessity of safeguarding democratic values and constitutional rights. The Emergency, declared on June 25, 1975, is viewed as one of the bleakest periods in India's post-independence history, characterized by suspended fundamental rights, repressed press freedoms, and silenced democratic institutions. In 2024, the Government of India commemoratively established June 25 as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas.

The Delhi event will feature various dignitaries, including Amit Shah, Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation (Chief Guest),Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT,Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism,Vinai Kumar Saxena, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi,Rekha Gupta, Chief Minister of Delhi.

The event includes a special exhibition divided into three themes: India’s ancient democratic traditions, the darker aspects of the Emergency, and recent democratic reforms. Additionally, there will be a theatrical play by the National School of Drama dramatizing the Emergency's impact, a short film reflecting on its consequences, and a Signature Tribute Wall for citizens to express their commitment to constitutional values. Amit Shah will also flag off the “#LongLiveDemocracy Yatra,” which will travel nationwide, raising awareness about constitutional values and the lessons from the Emergency. Besides the main event in Delhi, various states and Union Territories will host commemorative programs led by local leaders, honoring those who resisted the Emergency and promoting public discussions, exhibitions, and film screenings to facilitate dialogue about democracy's resilience. The Ministry of Culture will also launch the “Long Live Democracy” exhibition across 50 key locations, reinforcing India’s deep-rooted civilizational ethos of democracy. Samvidhan Hatya Diwas serves as both a tribute to history and a renewed commitment to democratic principles.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar