In a speech marking the 75th anniversary of the Rajasthan High Court, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar strongly condemned the Emergency declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in June 1975. He called it “the darkest period” in India’s history since independence and criticized the judiciary for backing the authoritarian regime, resulting in widespread arrests and a suppression of individual freedoms.
Dhankhar praised nine High Courts, including the Rajasthan High Court, for their resistance during the Emergency, noting their role in upholding the Rule of Law. He suggested that the judiciary’s failure to challenge the Emergency had hindered India’s progress.
He also supported the government’s decision to mark June 25 as “Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas” to remember the day the Constitution was undermined. Dhankhar warned against anti-national forces trying to misuse constitutional institutions, urging people to stay alert.
The Vice President stressed the need to maintain the separation of powers between the legislature, executive, and judiciary to protect democracy. He warned that ignoring threats to these institutions would be judged harshly by future generations.
The event was attended by prominent figures including Supreme Court Justices A.G. Masih and Sandeep Mehta, Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Arun Bhansali, Rajasthan High Court Chief Justice M.M. Shrivastava, and Rajasthan Law Minister Joga Ram Patel.