Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday described the Emergency imposed in 1975 as a “direct assault” on the Constitution, saying the period witnessed the suspension of civil liberties, restrictions on freedom of expression and attacks on democratic institutions.
Paying tribute to those who resisted the Emergency, Modi said the period represented one of the “darkest chapters in India's history” but also highlighted the courage of citizens who stood up for constitutional values.
“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 said in a post on X, referring to the declaration of Emergency on June 25, 1975.
The Prime Minister said the Constitution represents the aspirations, rights and duties of 140 crore Indians.
“We reaffirm our collective commitment to safeguarding constitutional values. Guided by the spirit of our Constitution, we will build an India that remains ever committed to justice, liberty, equality and fraternity,” he said.
The Emergency was imposed in India between June 25, 1975, and March 21, 1977, under Article 352 of the Constitution.
Since 2025, the Narendra Modi government has observed June 25 as ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’. A gazette notification issued in this regard stated that the Emergency was declared on June 25, 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”.
In another post on X, Modi said ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’ serves as a reminder of the period when “Indian democracy was brutally crushed”.
“It inspires us to always remain committed to protecting democracy, the Constitution, and citizens’ rights. My respectful salutations to all the luminaries who opposed the Emergency,” he said in a Hindi post.
The Emergency marked a major turning point in India’s constitutional history, with the executive gaining sweeping powers and greater central control over state authority. Constitutional safeguards were suspended, while the press and flow of public information faced strict restrictions through administrative measures.
During the period, Parliament passed several constitutional amendments that limited judicial review and weakened institutional checks. The Emergency also saw the controversial forced sterilisation campaign.
The Emergency formally ended in March 1977 after a political shift following general elections, which led to a change in government.