‘No Indian will forget that midnight blow to democracy’: PM Modi slams Emergency as darkest chapter in India's history

Marking 50 years since the imposition of Emergency in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 25 launched a scathing attack on the then Indira Gandhi-led Congress government, calling the period “one of the darkest chapters in India’s democratic history” and a blatant assault on the Constitution.

In a strongly-worded post on X, the Prime Minister said, “No Indian will ever forget the manner in which the spirit of our Constitution was violated, the voice of Parliament muzzled and attempts were made to control the courts.” He termed June 25 as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas — the day democracy was “placed under arrest”.

Recounting the widespread suspension of civil liberties, Modi said, “Fundamental rights were suspended, press freedom extinguished, and thousands — political leaders, students, social workers, ordinary citizens — were jailed.” He also accused the Congress of targeting the poor and marginalized, “insulting their dignity” during the 21-month period of authoritarian rule.

Modi highlighted the controversial 42nd Amendment as a symbol of “constitutional subversion” and hailed those who resisted the clampdown. “People from diverse ideologies and walks of life united with one goal — to save India’s democratic fabric. Their collective resistance ultimately forced the government to call elections, which they lost badly,” he said.

Modi reaffirmed his government’s pledge to uphold constitutional values and build a Viksit Bharat (Developed India). “We remain committed to strengthening the ideals that our freedom fighters fought for,” he added.

The Emergency, declared late on June 25, 1975, followed a damning Allahabad High Court verdict against Prime Minister Indira Gandhi over electoral malpractice. What followed was an unprecedented suspension of democratic rights until March 1977, marked by press censorship, mass arrests, and executive overreach — a period many regard as a turning point in India’s democratic journey.