Delhi,25 June(HS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi commemorated those who fought against the 1975 Emergency, referring to it as 'Samvidhan Hatya Divas.' He emphasized the need to strengthen constitutional principles and a vision for a developed India, aiming to uplift the marginalized.

On X, he honored the collective efforts of individuals from diverse backgrounds who defended democracy against the Emergency, leading to the downfall of the Congress government.

PM Modi described the day as marking fifty years since a dark chapter in India's history when fundamental rights were suspended, freedom of the press was eradicated, and many were imprisoned.

On X, PM Modi wrote, Today marks fifty years since one of the darkest chapters in India’s democratic history, the imposition of the Emergency. The people of India mark this day as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas. On this day, the values enshrined in the Indian Constitution were set aside, fundamental rights were suspended, press freedom was extinguished, and several political leaders, social workers, students, and ordinary citizens were jailed. It was as if the Congress Government in power at that time placed democracy under arrest!

Additionally, in a separate post on X, PM Modi mentioned a book titled 'The Emergency Diaries - Years That Forged A Leader,' compiled by the Blue Craft Digital Foundation, which encapsulates experiences from that era.

The Emergency Diaries chronicles my journey during the Emergency years. It brought back many memories from that time. I call upon all those who remember those dark days of the Emergency or those whose families suffered during that time to share their experiences on social media. It will create awareness among the youth of the shameful time from 1975 to 1977, the post reads.

The book will be released by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, with a foreword by H.D. Devegowda, another veteran of the anti-Emergency struggle.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar