Chandigarh, Jun 25: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday joined senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in Chandigarh to observe ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' (Constitution Murder Day), commemorating the imposition of Emergency on June 25, 1975.

आज चंडीगढ़ में ‘संविधान हत्या दिवस’ पर आयोजित कार्यक्रम में पार्टी के वरिष्ठ नेता एवं भाजपा के राष्ट्रीय उपाध्यक्ष श्री @saudansinghbjp जी, @BJP4Chandigarh के अध्यक्ष श्री @JPMalhotra जी, राज्यसभा सांसद श्रीमती @sharmarekha जी, चंडीगढ़ के मेयर श्री @SaurabhJoshiBJP जी एवं अन्य… pic.twitter.com/OaPnN08WiL

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) June 25, 2026

Emergency as Darkest Chapter

Speaking on the occasion, Pradhan described the Emergency as “the darkest chapter in India’s democratic history,” recalling how fundamental rights were suspended, dissent crushed, and even artists like Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar were silenced. He said the period symbolised a “dictatorial mindset” embodied in the slogan “India is Indira and Indira is India.”

Emergency Crushed Rights

In a post on X, Pradhan wrote: “25 June 1975 was when the arrogance of power crushed the soul of the Constitution and imprisoned democracy. Fundamental rights were abolished and the nation was pushed into fear and repression.” He stressed that remembering the Emergency is vital to safeguard democratic values.

'25 जून 1975' जब सत्ता के अहंकार ने संविधान की आत्मा को कुचलते हुए देश पर आपातकाल थोप दिया और लोकतंत्र को बंदी बना दिया गया। यह वह दौर था जब मौलिक अधिकार खत्म कर दिए गए और पूरा राष्ट्र भय व दमन की परछाई में धकेल दिया गया।

‘संविधान हत्या दिवस’ यह स्मरण कराता है कि संविधान की… pic.twitter.com/2IqTRIwWDM

Call for Democratic Vigilance

“India is the mother of democracy. In this context, remembering ‘Constitution Murder Day’ is essential because today, as the nation advances toward the resolve of ‘Developed India 2047’ under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we must reject hate-filled thinking like the Emergency and strengthen public awareness of democratic values,” Pradhan said.

Criticism of Congress

The Minister accused the Congress of continuing the same mindset today, pointing to Rahul Gandhi and the party’s leadership. He contrasted this with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’, urging citizens to reject authoritarian tendencies and strengthen constitutional awareness. He added that such anti-Constitution individuals have never placed faith in institutional systems, whether the electoral process or the judiciary.
Also Read: PM Modi's 12-Year Governance Journey Reflects Service, Good Governance and Welfare: Dharmendra Pradhan

Leaders Pay Tribute

Pradhan was accompanied by BJP national vice-president Saudan Singh, Chandigarh BJP president J.P. Malhotra, Rajya Sabha MP Rekha Sharma, and Mayor Saurabh Joshi. Together, they honoured those who endured torture and fought to keep democracy alive during the Emergency.

Salute to Democracy Sentinels

 Pradhan concluded by saluting the “sentinels of democracy” whose courage ensured that India’s democratic voice could never be permanently suppressed.