Indira Gandhi’s Emergency | Congress strongly reacted to RSS leader’s call for a debate on removing ‘secular’ and ‘socialist’ from the Constitution’s Preamble, calling it an attack on India’s democratic foundation. The Supreme Court has already declared these values as core principles of the Constitution.
RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale questions the inclusion of ‘secularism’ and ‘socialism’ in the Preamble, saying they weren’t added by Ambedkar. He also asks Congress to apologise for the Indira Gandhi’s Emergency-era excesses.
Prominent legal experts consider the Emergency declared on the midnight of June 25, 1975, as a “horrible mistake” and the “darkest period” for liberty in independent India. It severely impacted the country’s democratic values and institutions.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar criticized the Supreme Court’s 1976 Emergency judgment, calling it a “darkest moment” in judicial history for legitimizing dictatorship and undermining fundamental rights. His remarks highlighted the judiciary’s failure to protect civil liberties during the Emergency, emphasizing the need for constitutional adherence and institutional integrity in the face of political pressure.
The Supreme Court criticized Rahul Gandhi for his controversial comments about Veer Savarkar, leading to a defamation case filed by Savarkar’s relative. The court summoned Gandhi to appear in Pune on May 9, 2025, and warned him against making uninformed statements about historical figures. Proper historical understanding is emphasized for political leaders.
Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna, talks about how the judiciary changed after the 1975 Emergency. Earlier, courts had a narrow view of fundamental rights, but now they take a broader approach. He highlights the Supreme Court’s role in ensuring social justice, fairness, and constitutional values. While progress has been made, challenges like delays, high legal costs, and misinformation still exist. He emphasizes the need for more reforms to maintain trust in the judiciary.
In April 1976, Justice H.R. Khanna dissented in the ADM Jabalpur case, arguing personal liberty cannot be suspended during emergencies. His principled stand against the Indira Gandhi government led to his bypassing for Chief Justice, marking a pivotal moment for judicial independence. His legacy continues through his nephew, Justice Sanjiv Khanna.
Today(19th Sept), The Bombay High Court stressed that creative freedom cannot be limited by potential law and order concerns, criticizing the CBFC for delaying certification of Kangana Ranaut’s film “Emergency.” The court has mandated that the CBFC make a decision by September 25.
The film “Emergency,” produced by Kangana Ranaut, faces controversy as Sikh organizations challenge its release. The Bombay High Court refuses to direct the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to issue a certificate, making the film’s release uncertain. Concerns about misrepresentation of Sikhs and potential community sentiments arise, prompting legal actions in multiple high courts.
Today(on 12th July),Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that June 25 will be observed annually as ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’ (Constitution Murder Day) to commemorate the imposition of Emergency in 1975 by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Shah highlighted the declaration on social media, stressing the importance of honoring those who endured hardships during that period.
