HT Correspondent
ITANAGAR, June 25: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Arunachal Pradesh, observed Samvidhan Hatya Diwas (Constitution Murder Day) on Wednesday, marking the 50th anniversary of the declaration of Emergency in India on June 25, 1975.
The party commemorated the day by wearing black badges and hosting a series of awareness programmes, reflecting on what it described as a direct assault on democratic values during the 21-month Emergency.
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According to an official statement, the state-level programme was organised at the BJP headquarters in Vivek Vihar, Itanagar.
The event was attended by several prominent leaders, including Minister for Environment and Forest Wangki Lowang, Rajya Sabha MP Nabam Rebia, Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture and Dairy Development Gabriel D Wangsu, Pasighat MLA and former Union Minister Ninong Ering, Tali MLA Jikke Tako, and corporators of the Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC), among others.
The event began with a two-minute silence observed in memory of those who lost their lives or suffered during the Emergency period.
Party leaders described the Emergency as one of the darkest episodes in India’s post-independence history, wherein civil liberties, press freedom, and judicial independence were severely curtailed.
An exhibition was also inaugurated at the BJP state headquarters on the occasion, showcasing rare photographs, newspaper clippings, and documents that highlighted the suppression of rights and democratic institutions during the Emergency.
The exhibition, open to the general public, aimed to educate the younger generation about the consequences of authoritarian rule and the importance of constitutional safeguards.
Addressing the gathering, party leaders condemned the events that unfolded during the Emergency, including mass arrests of opposition leaders, censorship of the press, and suspension of fundamental rights.
“The day is a grim reminder of what happens when power is misused and democratic norms are dismantled,” said Minister Wangki Lowang.
Rajya Sabha MP Nabam Rebia urged people to remain vigilant in preserving the ideals enshrined in the Constitution.
“Democracy must be protected not only through institutions but also through public awareness and participation,” he stated.
Minister Gabriel D Wangsu noted that remembering the Emergency was not merely about the past but about reaffirming commitment to democratic values in the present and future.
“This is not just a political event; it is a civil duty,” he said.
According to the party’s statement, similar programmes were conducted across the state, including in remote districts, where BJP units hosted events to reflect on the impact of the Emergency and the importance of protecting the rule of law.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu joined the observance in Tawang district, while Governor Lt. General K.T. Parnaik (Retd) and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein participated in a state-level commemoration at the DK Convention Centre in IG Park, Itanagar.
The day-long observance concluded with a collective call from BJP leaders for India’s youth to learn from history and uphold the Constitution.
They reiterated that remembering such historical moments is essential to prevent the recurrence of authoritarian tendencies and to promote an informed and active citizenry.
