Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], June 25 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader CR Kesavan on Wednesday demanded that the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi publicly apologise to the nation on the 50th anniversary of the Emergency.

Speaking to ANI, Kesavan said, 'Today, the day which marks the imposition of Indira Gandhi's fascist emergency, the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi should immediately tender a public apology to our nation.'

'Opposition parties like the DMK and the RJD, which are in an opportunistic alliance with the Congress party, should also persuade, prevail, and advise the Congress party to apologise,' he added.

The Emergency, declared on this day in 1975, remains one of the darkest chapters in India's post-independence history. Fundamental rights were suspended, press freedoms curtailed, and democratic institutions were silenced. In 2024, the Government of India officially notified June 25 as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas to ensure that this critical period is not forgotten and the sanctity of democracy is consistently upheld.

On 25 June 1975, then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed issued the Emergency Proclamation under Article 352, citing threats from internal disturbance. The Emergency was declared against a backdrop of mounting political unrest and judicial developments that shook the legitimacy of the ruling leadership.

The Union Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Delhi government, will commemorate Samvidhan Hatya today at Thyagaraj Stadium, New Delhi, marking 50 years since the imposition of Emergency in India in 1975. The solemn occasion will serve as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding democratic values and constitutional rights.

Union Minister Amit Shah will flag off the 'Long Live Democracy Yatra' by MYBharat volunteers. The Yatra will travel across the country to spread awareness about constitutional values, democratic rights, and the lessons from the Emergency.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the 1975 Emergency as 'a prime example of their shenanigans'.

Terming it one of the darkest chapters in India's democratic history, Prime Minister Modi said the imposition of the Emergency by the Congress not only violated the spirit of the Constitution but also placed 'democracy under arrest'.

Taking to social media website X, PM Modi in a series of posts 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. The 42nd Amendment is a prime example of their shenanigans. The poor, marginalised and downtrodden were particularly targeted, including their dignity insulted.'

PM Modi accused the then-Congress government of violating the Constitution's spirit, suspending fundamental rights, extinguishing press freedom, and jailing political leaders, social workers, students, and citizens.

PM Modi accused the then-Congress government of violating the Constitution's spirit, suspending fundamental rights, extinguishing press freedom, and jailing political leaders, social workers, students, and citizens. (ANI)