Chandigarh, 25 June (H.S.): Bharatiya Janata Party, Chandigarh, organized a programme at Tagore Theatre, Sector 18, Chandigarh, on the occasion of Constitution Murder Day. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan attended the event as the chief guest and keynote speaker. The programme was presided over by BJP Chandigarh President Jatinder Pal Malhotra. National Vice President Saudan Singh, Rajya Sabha MP Rekha Verma, Chandigarh Mayor Saurabh Joshi, State General Secretary Rambir Bhatti, Shakti Devshali, State Vice Presidents Indra Singh and Bharat Kumar, and State Media In-charge Ravi Rawat were present. Senior BJP leader and former MP Satya Pal Jain also addressed the gathering.
Addressing the programme, Dharmendra Pradhan said that June 25, 1975, was the darkest day in the history of Indian democracy. He alleged that the then Congress government imposed the Emergency to save power and directly attacked the spirit of the Constitution, democratic institutions and civil liberties. He said that India is not merely a geographical entity, but a civilization with thousands of years of cultural heritage and democratic traditions.
Pradhan said that after Independence, the framers of the Constitution had envisioned an India where people would remain supreme and governance would function according to constitutional values. However, the Emergency crushed these ideals. Freedom of expression was curtailed, the press was silenced, opposition leaders were jailed and thousands of democracy warriors had to face persecution.
He further said that instead of respecting the Allahabad High Court judgment, the then government pushed the nation into the shackles of Emergency. Fundamental rights were suspended and an atmosphere of fear was created across the country. Pradhan added that democracy is not limited to elections, but also includes freedom of thought, civil rights and respect for the Constitution. He stressed that the younger generation must be made aware of this dark chapter of Indian democracy.
During the programme, Dharmendra Pradhan honoured democracy warriors and senior leaders Desh Raj Tandon, Jatinder Chopra, Om Prakash Ahuja, Surinder Mahajan and Dharamvir by presenting them ceremonial shawls. He said their courage and sacrifice would continue to inspire future generations to protect democracy and constitutional values.
BJP Chandigarh President Jatinder Pal Malhotra said the Emergency remains an indelible blot on Indian democracy. Former MP Satya Pal Jain shared his experiences from the Emergency period and said the then government misused state machinery to suppress dissent. At the end, General Secretary Rambir Bhatti proposed the vote of thanks.
Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH
