Modi Calls Emergency 'Direct Assault on Constitution' on 1975 Anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the 1975 Emergency a direct assault on the Constitution. He spoke in a series of posts on X on Thursday, the 50th anniversary of the declaration.

“The Emergency was a direct assault on our Constitution. It witnessed the suspension of civil liberties, curbs on freedom of expression, arrests of political leaders, journalists, social workers and an assault on institutions that are the bedrock of our democracy,” Modi wrote.

The prime minister said the Constitution is an embodiment of the aspirations, rights and duties of 140 crore Indians. He repeated a commitment to justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.

The Emergency ran from June 25, 1975 to March 21, 1977. The government declared it under Article 352 of the Constitution.

Since 2025, the Modi government has observed the day as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diyas'. A gazette notification said the 1975 declaration led to “gross abuse of power by the government of the day and people of India were subjected to excesses and atrocities.”

In a separate post in Hindi, Modi said the day reminds everyone of that “dark period” when “Indian democracy was brutally crushed.” He saluted all who opposed the Emergency.

The declaration concentrated power in the executive. Constitutional safeguards were suspended. The press faced strict controls. Parliament passed amendments that weakened judicial review. A forced sterilization campaign became one of the period's most controversial acts.

The Emergency ended in March 1977 after general elections shifted the political balance.