'Constitution Murder Day' will "remind us of sacrifices of men who fought against Congress' dictatorial mindset": BJP

New Delhi [India], July 12 : With the central government announcing to celebrate June 25 as Constitution Murder Day, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said that the observance of the day will remind the countrymen of the sacrifices of those who fought against Congress' dictatorial mindset in 1975.
BJP president JP Nadda said that the imposition of Emergency on June 25, 1975, led to the killing of democracy as enshrined in the Constitution.
"25 June 1975 was the black day when the dictatorial mindset of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed an 'Emergency' on the country by killing the democracy enshrined in our Constitution. The central government has decided to celebrate 25 June every year as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas'. This day will remind us of the sacrifices of all our great men who fought against this dictatorial mindset of the Congress and endured torture and died for the protection of the Constitution and restoration of democracy. I express my gratitude to the Prime Minister for this decision which reminds us of the importance of democracy every year," Nadda said in a post on 'X'.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the Constitution Murder Day will remind them of the attempt to strangle the Constitution by imposing Emergency.
"In the history of Indian democracy, the circumstances that arose due to the Emergency and the kind of repression that was carried out are still fresh in the memory of the countrymen. To remind us of the attempt to strangle the Constitution by imposing Emergency in India and to pay tribute to the revolutionaries who protected democratic rights, the Government of India has declared 25th June #SamvidhaanHatyaDiwas . The contribution of those who spent time in jail and suffered torture during the Emergency can never be forgotten," Singh said in a post on 'X'.
Welcoming the decision of the central government, Union Minister Dharmedra Pradhan said that the Congress party is in the same "dictatorial and arrogant mentality"
"Emergency was the darkest chapter of our democracy. In 1975, the Congress government held the country and its citizens hostage to gain power and interests, and suppressed the democratic rights. During the Emergency, the Congress also violated Babasaheb's constitution. Congress is still in the same dictatorial and arrogant mentality," Pradhan posted on 'X'.
"I welcome the decision taken by the Government of India to observe June 25th #SamvidhaanHatyaDiwas every year to remember those who endured the hardships of the Emergency and to honor those who fought for the re-establishment of democratic values. This decision led by Hon'ble Prime Minister @narendramodi will make everyone wake up to protect the Constitution at any cost," he added.
Slamming the Congress party, Pradhan said, "'Constitution Murder Day' is a fitting tribute to all the fighters of democracy who fought to preserve the values of Indian democracy. This will be a historic decision in the direction of introducing the future generation to the dictatorial mentality and the Congress party will not dare to commit such crimes in the future."
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the "horrific memories" of Emergency exist like a "stigma on the forehead of our democracy".
"Democracy was restored in the country after the sacrifices of countless Satyagrahis, but even today the horrific memories of the Emergency exist like a stigma on the forehead of our democracy. 'Constitution Hatya Diwas', an effort to keep every Indian alert and cautious towards the anti-Constitution and anti-democracy evil intentions and conspiracies of authoritarian, dictatorial parties like the Congress, will strengthen Indian democracy," Adityanath said in a post on 'X'.
Expressing gratitude to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Adityanath said, "Certainly, this day will always keep the flame of respect and faith towards democratic values burning in the mind of every citizen. Heartfelt gratitude to the respected Prime Minister and the Honorable Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri @AmitShahji for this historic decision! Jai Hind!"
To pay tributes to all those who suffered and fought against the gross abuse of power during the period of Emergency 1975, the Central government has declared June 25 as 'Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas' (Constitution Murder Day).
Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) made the announcement in a gazette notification pointing "a proclamation of Emergency was made on 25th June 1975, following which there was gross abuse of power by the government of the day and people of India were subjected to excesses and atrocities".
The notification reads "Whereas, people of India have abiding faith in the Constitution of India and the power of India's resilient democracy; Therefore, Government of India declares 25 June as 'Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas' to pay tribute to all those who suffered and fought against the gross abuse of power during the period of Emergency and to recommit the people of India to not support in any manner such gross abuse of power, in future".