Gangtok, June 25 – The serene Himalayan state of Sikkim today echoed with a solemn reminder of India’s democratic past as the government observed “Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas,” marking 50 years since the imposition of the Emergency in 1975. This period, widely remembered as a dark chapter in the nation’s history, saw fundamental rights suspended and dissent stifled.
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, along with his cabinet colleagues, led a poignant symbolic procession through the heart of Gangtok, the national flag held high. The march served as a heartfelt tribute to the countless individuals who faced severe curtailment of their freedoms during the 21-month-long Emergency. The air was thick with a collective resolve to remember, and to never forget, the sacrifices made for liberty.
Addressing the gathering, CM Tamang underscored the paramount importance of upholding constitutional values and drawing critical lessons from history’s annals. “June 25 is not merely a date etched in our calendars,” he articulated with gravitas, “but a powerful reminder of the insidious dangers of authoritarianism and, conversely, the unwavering resilience of our Constitution.” His words resonated deeply with those present, reaffirming the state’s commitment to democratic principles.
The observance of Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas is a dedicated effort to honour the brave souls who actively resisted the Emergency’s draconian measures, enduring incarceration, facing the brunt of censorship, and suffering under the weight of oppression. Beyond remembrance, the initiative aims to foster greater awareness about the imperative to safeguard civil liberties and to champion the very values that form the bedrock of India’s Constitution.
The Emergency, a period etched in collective memory, was declared by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on June 25, 1975. It ushered in a widespread suspension of fundamental rights, imposed a strict censor’s hand on the press, led to mass arrests of political opponents, and centralized power to an unprecedented degree. These events are unequivocally regarded as a significant and unsettling deviation from the tenets of democratic governance.
Sikkim’s annual observance of this day stands as a robust institutional message, a clarion call to steadfastly uphold individual freedom, ensure unwavering transparency in governance, and remain perpetually vigilant against any and all encroachments on India’s cherished constitutional principles.
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