The Union Cabinet on Wednesday paid solemn tribute to the countless individuals who courageously resisted the Emergency and stood up against what it described as a grave subversion of the Indian Constitution.
To mark the 50th anniversary of Samvidhan Hatya Diwas (Constitution Murder Day), the Cabinet observed a two-minute silence in memory of those who suffered during the Emergency period—individuals whose constitutionally guaranteed rights were suspended and who endured repression, imprisonment, and abuse in the face of authoritarianism.
The Cabinet recalled how the undermining of constitutional principles began as early as 1974, with forceful attempts to crush democratic movements such as the Navnirman Andolan and Sampoorna Kranti Abhiyan. These events culminated in the official declaration of Emergency in 1975, a period that saw widespread suspension of civil liberties, federal overreach, and the erosion of human dignity and rights.
In its resolution, the Cabinet honoured the courage of those who resisted the Emergency and defended the Constitution during one of the darkest periods in India’s post-independence history. Their sacrifices, the Cabinet noted, remain a powerful reminder of the importance of safeguarding democracy against authoritarian tendencies.
Marking the year 2025 as the 50th anniversary of Samvidhan Hatya Diwas, the Cabinet underlined the continued faith of the Indian people in the Constitution and the country’s robust democratic ethos. It emphasized that both the older and younger generations must draw inspiration from those who fought to uphold constitutional values and the spirit of federalism in the face of adversity.
Reaffirming India’s legacy as the “Mother of Democracy,” the Cabinet declared that the nation stands as a global example of preserving, protecting, and promoting democratic ideals and constitutional governance.
The Union Cabinet called on the country to renew its collective commitment to the Constitution, pledging to uphold its principles and defend its democratic and federal character for future generations.