Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas was observed on 25 June 2026 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency imposed on 25 June 1975.
On 25 June 1975, then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed proclaimed a National Emergency under Article 352 of the Constitution, citing internal disturbances.
The Emergency was imposed during a period of political unrest and a judicial crisis affecting the government led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
During the Emergency:
- The Central Government exercised extensive executive powers.
- Fundamental rights under Article 19 (freedom of speech, expression, assembly, and movement) were suspended through Article 358.
- Citizens were denied the right to seek judicial remedies for violations of these rights.
- Press censorship was imposed, and the Press Council of India was abolished.
- Constitutional amendments restricted judicial review of the Emergency proclamation and excluded the election of the Prime Minister and Lok Sabha Speaker from court scrutiny.
