On the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to strongly condemn the 21-month period of suspended democratic rights, describing it as “one of the darkest chapters in India’s democratic history.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi said:
“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.”
He accused the then Congress government of putting democracy under arrest, stating that the fundamental rights of citizens were suspended, press freedom was crushed, and thousands of political leaders, students, and citizens were jailed without due process.
“On this day, the values enshrined in the Indian Constitution were set aside… It was as if the Congress Government in power at that time placed democracy under arrest!” the Prime Minister wrote.
The Emergency, declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on June 25, 1975, remains a deeply contentious period in Indian history. It allowed the government to rule by decree, curb civil liberties, impose censorship, and arrest dissenting voices — moves that drew widespread domestic and international criticism.
Marking the solemn occasion, PM Modi’s statement also served as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding democratic institutions and constitutional values. As political reactions pour in, the anniversary is likely to stir renewed debate over civil liberties, governance, and the legacy of the Emergency in modern India.
