Bengaluru: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday said that people can't forget what Indira Gandhi did in 1975 after imposing the Emergency in the country.
His reaction came hours in response to the Centre's announcement to observe June 25 as "Constitution Murder Day".
"I want to clear up one thing to the democratic loving people through the media whatever Indira ji did was the Samvidhan ka Hatya (Murder of Constitution). People can't forget this," Joshi told reporters.
"That is why, we should always (be) aware what the Congress party has done to Samvidhan and Prajaprabhutva (Public Supremacy). To keep that awareness, we are doing this. Everybody should remember that day, " he added.
To pay tributes to all those who suffered and fought against the gross abuse of power during the period of Emergency 1975, the Central government has declared June 25 as 'Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas' (Constitution Murder Day).
Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) made the announcement in a gazette notification pointing "a proclamation of Emergency was made on 25th June 1975, following which there was gross abuse of power by the government of the day and people of India were subjected to excesses and atrocities".
The notification reads "Whereas, people of India have abiding faith in the Constitution of India and the power of India's resilient democracy; Therefore, Government of India declares 25 June as 'Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas' to pay tribute to all those who suffered and fought against the gross abuse of power during the period of Emergency and to recommit the people of India to not support in any manner such gross abuse of power, in future".
Soon after the notification was issued, Union Home Minister Amit Shah posted on X, "On June 25, 1975, the then PM Indira Gandhi, in a brazen display of a dictatorial mindset, strangled the soul of our democracy by imposing the Emergency on the nation. Lakhs of people were thrown behind bars for no fault of their own, and the voice of the media was silenced."
Shah added, "The Government of India has decided to observe the 25th of June every year as 'Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas.' This day will commemorate the massive contributions of all those who endured the inhuman pains of the 1975 Emergency."
49 years ago on June 25, Indira Gandhi's government unleashed a wave of repression, imprisoning lakhs of people without justification and muzzling the media. The Emergency stripped citizens of their fundamental rights and undermined the country's democratic fabric.
As per the fresh MHA notification, 'Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas' serves as a solemn reminder of the struggles and sacrifices made by those who fought for India's democracy during the 1975 Emergency. The day will commemorate their bravery and resilience in the face of oppression, ensuring that future generations remember the importance of upholding democratic values and protecting the Constitution.
—ANI