GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 20th June: Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday invoked the memory of the Emergency imposed on June 25, 1975, calling it a day when “our Constitution ceased to exist” and labelling it as “Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas”—the day democracy was murdered.
Addressing the 7th batch of Rajya Sabha Interns in New Delhi, the Vice-President recalled the midnight proclamation of Emergency by then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed at the behest of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. “The President cannot act on the advice of an individual. There must be a council of ministers. This was the first constitutional breach,” he said.
“More than 100,000 citizens were put behind bars within hours,” Dhankhar reminded the gathering. “People were dragged from their homes. Media was held hostage. Some newspapers published blank editorials. Our Constitution ceased to exist.”
Judiciary’s Darkest Hour
Calling it the “darkest judgment in judicial history,” the Vice-President lambasted the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the rulings of nine High Courts that had upheld citizens’ fundamental rights during the Emergency. “The SC legitimised dictatorship, authoritarianism, and despotism in the oldest and now most vibrant democracy,” he asserted.
He further noted that many individuals jailed during the Emergency went on to become Prime Ministers, Chief Ministers, Governors, scientists, and leaders. “Many of them were your age,” he told the young interns.
June 25 Declared ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’
Vice-President Dhankhar highlighted that June 25 has now been officially designated as Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas through a gazette notification issued on July 11, 2024, marking the 75th year of India’s Republic.
“This day must serve as a sombre reminder. We must be the watchdogs of our democratic values,” he said, urging the youth to critically analyse the past to understand the cost of freedom.
Warning Against Religious Allurement
Speaking on the importance of civilizational identity, Dhankhar cautioned against religious conversions driven by “sugar-coated promises” and temptations. “You cannot be made to be attracted to a religion by allurement. That shakes our foundations,” he said, adding that while freedom of religion is a right, inducement is a threat to national identity.
Yoga: A Daily Discipline, Not a One-Day Event
On the eve of International Yoga Day, the Vice-President passionately called for making yoga a part of daily life. “Yoga is not meant for one day. It purifies you, offers relief, and clears occasional despondency,” he said.
Tracing yoga’s global recognition, he credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2014 UN address, which led to the declaration of June 21 as International Yoga Day by 177 countries in record time. “Yoga is India’s gift to the world,” he said, recalling his participation in the 9th International Yoga Day celebrations in Jabalpur and the Prime Minister’s participation at the UN headquarters.
“Be Watchdogs of Democracy”
Concluding his address, Dhankhar urged the interns to embrace yoga, uphold constitutional values, and guard against any attempts to undermine democratic institutions. “The Emergency era must never return,” he said.
