Introduction to Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas

  • Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas, recognized on 25th June, serves as a powerful reminder of a time in history when the sanctity of the Indian Constitution was compromised.
  • The day specifically points to the Emergency declared in 1975, under the government of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
  • The government's announcement of this day stresses its significance not just as a day of remembrance, but also as an educational tool for the Indian citizens to comprehend their constitutional rights and the importance of democracy.

Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas

 

Reason Behind the Commemoration

  • The declaration was predominantly framed to remember and pay tribute to those who suffered during the oppressive period of the Emergency.
  • This period stretched from 25th June 1975 to 21st changes in the country using special constitutional provisions.
  • This configuration enabled the Union to centralise power, asserting full control over state governments, which in essence created a unitary governing system.

Historical Perspective - Emergencies in India

  • The declaration of National Emergency has occurred three times in the history of India.
  • The first occasion was the India-China war from 1962 to 1968, followed by the Indo-Pakistan war in 1971, and the last was from 1975 to 1977 owing to political instability.
  • The proclamations were significant events in the country’s history, impacting the constitutionally established federal system of governance.

Significance of Emergency Provisions in the Constitution

  • The Indian Constitution vests power in the President to declare an emergency that significantly alters the federal structure.
  • An understanding of these provisions is crucial for citizens as it benefits them in gaining insight into the potential infringements on their rights during such times.
  • Also, such understanding underscores the prime importance of democratic principles such as liberty, equality and fraternity, which constitute the bulwark against the imposition of what may otherwise materialise into autocratic rule.

Bottom Line: The observance of Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas serves as a stark reminder of the value of democracy and the indispensable role of the Constitution in safeguarding it. It affirms our commitment to uphold the Constitution and its principles, recognizing the sacrifices of those who endured the hardships of the emergencies imposed in our history.

March 1977, during which the government instigated significant legislative and executive