Emergency Was Biggest Assault on Democracy: Bhardwaj
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Shimla, June 24: Senior BJP leader and former minister Suresh Bhardwaj has accused the Congress of having no moral authority to speak on constitutional values, stating that the Emergency imposed on June 25, 1975, was the biggest attack on India’s democracy and Constitution.
Addressing the media in Shimla, Bhardwaj said that the Emergency suspended fundamental rights, imposed censorship on the press, and led to the imprisonment of opposition leaders and political activists across the country. He alleged that the Congress government chose to impose Emergency instead of respecting democratic and constitutional processes following the Allahabad High Court verdict against then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
He further claimed that constitutional amendments during the Emergency weakened democratic institutions, curtailed judicial powers, and undermined democratic accountability. Bhardwaj also referred to forced sterilization drives and restrictions on civil liberties during the period.
The BJP leader announced that the party will observe June 25 as “Samvidhan Hatya Diwas” (Constitution Murder Day) across the country to educate the younger generation about the Emergency period. He said BJP state president Rajeev Bindal will address a programme in Shimla, while former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Shanta Kumar will be the chief speaker at an event in Palampur on June 27.
