New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Friday that June 25 will now be observed as Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas (Constitution Murder Day). This date marks the day in 1975 when former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency in India. In a post on social media platform X, Amit Shah stated that this day would honor those who suffered during the 1975 Emergency. Shah added that on June 25, 1975, Indira Gandhis decision to impose the Emergency was a stark display of a dictatorial mindset, which silenced the democracy of the nation. He noted that many people were unjustly imprisoned and the medias voice was suppressed.Prime Minister Narendra Modi also supported the announcement by reposted Amit Shah Xs post. To observe 25th June as Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas will serve as a reminder of what happens when the Constitution of India was trampled over, PM Modi said.25 जून को #SamvidhaanHatyaDiwas देशवासियों को याद दिलाएगा कि संविधान के कुचले जाने के बाद देश को कैसे-कैसे हालात से गुजरना पड़ा था। यह दिन उन सभी लोगों को नमन करने का भी है, जिन्होंने आपातकाल की घोर पीड़ा झेली। देश कांग्रेस के इस दमनकारी कदम को भारतीय इतिहास के काले अध्याय के रूप… https://t.co/mzQFdQOxZW— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 12, 2024BJPs lashes out at CongressThe announcement comes as the BJP-led NDA ramps up its criticism of Congress on the 49th anniversary of the Emergency. This move is seen as a counter to the oppositions claims that the BJP is undermining the Constitution.The Emergency, which lasted from June 1975 to March 1977, saw severe crackdowns on opposition leaders and restriction on press freedom. The period is termed as a dark phase in Indian democracy.Congresss responseIn response to the announcement, the Congress party declared that June 4 should be remembered as Modi Mukti Diwas. This is in reference to the date when the Lok Sabha election results were announced, with the BJP winning a reduced mandate but still forming the government with the help of its allies.Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized the announcement, calling it a headline-grabbing exercise in hypocrisy. He accused Prime Minister Modi of imposing an undeclared Emergency during his tenure. Ramesh also claimed that PM Modis government has systematically attacked the Constitution and its principles. He referred to Modi as a non-biological PM.Yet another headline grabbing exercise in hypocrisy by the non-biological PM who had imposed an undeclared Emergency for ten long years before the people of India handed him a decisive personal, political, and moral defeat on June 4, 2024 - which will go down in history as…— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) July 12, 2024
