Mumbai, 25 June (HS): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra

Fadnavis marks #SamvidhanHatyaDiwas by recalling the invocation of the

Emergency in 1975 as a dark chapter in Indian democracy. He pays

respect to the bold voices who stood up to dictatorship and emphasizes the

state's commitment to protecting the Constitution. CM Fadnavis constantly

emphasizes how constitutional ideals were violated that day, paying tribute to

the patriots who struggled to restore India's democratic roots. To commemorate

the event, the Maharashtra government and associated leadership frequently

participate in commemoration activities and public protests around the state,

particularly Mumbai, to emphasize the importance of democratic values.

In a post on X, he mentioned, “Emergency 1975, a dark day in

independent India's history, when constitutional freedoms were suspended, and

democratic rights were suppressed. Constitutional values were trampled and an

Emergency was imposed on the nation. Salute to all patriots who stood firm

against authoritarianism and fought tirelessly to restore democracy. Let us

reaffirm our collective resolve to safeguard the Constitution and uphold the

democratic ideals of independent India.”

“The Emergency marked one of the darkest chapters in India’s

democratic history. Fundamental rights were frozen, general elections were

cancelled, the judiciary was silenced, and over one lakh dissenters,

journalists, and political leaders were imprisoned without trial. For 21 months, the world’s largest democracy witnessed

authoritarian rule. Forced mass sterilisations, slum demolitions, police

excesses, and censorship inflicted immense suffering on ordinary citizens,

while dissent was treated as a crime and the power of the state went unchecked.

As we observe #SamvidhanHatyaDiwas, let us remember these historical truths and

honour those who stood up to defend democracy and constitutional values,” he

added in another post penned by him on X.

“25 June 1975... That dark chapter in the history of Indian

democracy, when the imposition of Emergency dealt a severe blow to the basic

spirit of the Constitution and the democratic system. Fundamental rights were

stripped away, locks were placed on the press, lakhs of democracy fighters were

thrown into jails, and dissent was criminalized. 'Constitution Murder Day' is

not merely a remembrance of history, but a resolve to protect democracy. Let

us, on #SamvidhanHatyaDiwas, pay homage to all those democracy fighters who

struggled to safeguard the Constitution and democratic values,” he mentioned

prior to signing off.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi