Emergency was not a political event but a direct betrayal of the Indian Constitution, says Pawan Kalyan

Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party (JSP) chief Pawan Kalyan said that  India marked the 50th anniversary of the imposition of Emergency on June 25, 1975 — a period widely regarded as one of the darkest chapters in the country’s democratic history. Across the country, political leaders, civil society groups, and citizens observed “‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’ to remember the suspension of Constitutional rights and to pay tribute to those who resisted the authoritarian crackdown.

In a post on X on Wednesday, Mr. Pawan Kalyan said declaring that the Emergency was not merely a political event but a direct betrayal of the Indian Constitution, several leaders recalled how civil liberties were trampled upon, the press was muzzled, and fundamental rights were suspended under the then Congress regime led by Indira Gandhi.

Prominent Opposition leaders of the time — including Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L. K. Advani, George Fernandes, and Morarji Desai — were imprisoned for voicing dissent and defending democracy.

As we mark 50 years of this constitutional betrayal, we observe ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’ to remember the sacrifices of those who stood fearlessly against dictatorship and upheld the dignity of our democracy.

“Let us remember the sacrifices made by the Leader who stood against oppression, as well as the anguish of millions whose voices were silenced. Even today, we must guard against any attempt to compromise our Constitution in the name of politics,” he added.