Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh: In a resolute act of remembrance and constitutional safeguarding, Arunachal Pradesh today observed ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’ (Constitutional Murder Day), marking the 50th anniversary of the imposition of the Emergency in 1975. The state capital, Itanagar, bore witness to a series of impactful events designed to educate and remind citizens of one of India’s darkest democratic chapters.
The day’s solemn proceedings kicked off with a mega Walk-in Rally, spearheaded by Minister of Art and Culture, Dasanglu Pul. The rally, a powerful symbolic protest against the then Congress regime’s decision to impose Emergency, saw enthusiastic participation from a wide cross-section of society. Starting from Indira Gandhi Park, the procession culminated at the Dorjee Khandu Convention Centre, the epicentre of the day’s commemorative activities.
The main event at the convention centre was graced by a distinguished gathering of state dignitaries. Governor Lt. General (Retd.) K.T. Parnaik led the esteemed list, which also included Legislative Assembly Speaker Tesam Pongte, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, and Minister Dasanglu Pul. Further bolstering the occasion were Itanagar MLA Techi Kaso, Doimukh MLA Nabam Vivek, Mayor of IMC Tamme Phassang, Chief Secretary Manish Gupta, IMC corporators, senior bureaucrats, and members of the public, all united in their resolve to reflect on the past.
A poignant exhibition, inaugurated by Governor Parnaik, offered a visual journey through the tumultuous Emergency period, meticulously chronicling its events and profound aftermath. This historical immersion was complemented by a documentary film screening, which further elucidated the significance and far-reaching implications of the 1975 declaration, fostering a deeper understanding of constitutional principles among attendees.
Amidst the commemorative fervour, state ministers reiterated the Centre’s perspective, asserting that the Emergency’s genesis lay in the “weaponisation” of various factors.
Also in attendance were Capital Deputy Commissioner Toko Babu and Papum Pare DC Vishakha Yadav, both IAS officers, who joined other officials in observing the significant event. The day’s program served as a stark reminder, emphasizing the critical importance of constitutional values, civil liberties, and robust democratic safeguards, urging every citizen never to forget the invaluable lessons gleaned from this period in India’s democratic journey.
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