New Delhi, June 26, 2025 – The 50th anniversary of the Emergency has ignited a fierce political showdown between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, with both parties trading sharp accusations. While the BJP marked the occasion as ‘Constitution Murder Day,’ condemning Congress for undermining democracy, Congress hit back, accusing the BJP of raking up a decades-old issue to deflect from its own failures. The war of words has thrust the Emergency back into the national spotlight.
Congress’ Counter: BJP Digging Up Old Wounds Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge dismissed the BJP’s narrative, asserting that the Emergency is a chapter the nation has moved past, and the BJP is exploiting it to mask its governance shortcomings. “Those who had no role in the freedom struggle or the making of the Constitution now claim to be its saviors,” Kharge said. “The BJP burned the Constitution at Ramlila Maidan and desecrated effigies of Babasaheb Ambedkar and Nehru. Our ‘Save the Constitution’ campaign has rattled them, prompting them to revive a 50-year-old issue.”
Kharge accused the BJP of fueling inflation, unemployment, and economic disparity. “The gap between the rich and poor is widening. The BJP favors a handful of industrialists while ignoring small businesses and public sectors. Isn’t this an undeclared emergency?” he asked. He also criticized the government’s silence on issues like Manipur violence and Jammu & Kashmir, alleging curbs on freedom of expression.
BJP’s Rebuttal: Emergency’s Dark Legacy Must Be Remembered BJP national spokesperson and MP Dr. Sambit Patra fiercely countered, calling the Emergency “the gravest assault on Indian democracy.” He stated, “Fifty years ago, Indira Gandhi’s government imposed the Emergency overnight, strangling the Constitution. Over 1,10,000 people were jailed, and the press was gagged. Forgetting this dark chapter would be perilous for the nation.”
Patra labeled Kharge’s remarks a “mockery of democracy” and challenged Congress’ stance. “Kharge calls it an old issue, but can history be erased? Congress has no sense of the pain endured during the Emergency. They question our role in the freedom struggle, but what was Sonia Gandhi’s family’s contribution?” Patra highlighted the Modi government’s achievements, claiming it lifted over 250 million people out of poverty, in stark contrast to Congress’ “hollow” Garibi Hatao slogan.
Conclusion The 50th anniversary of the Emergency has laid bare the deep ideological divide between the BJP and Congress. While the BJP frames it as a cautionary tale for democracy, Congress dismisses it as an outdated issue, focusing instead on the current government’s policies. This clash not only reflects political maneuvering but also underscores the need for a broader reflection on India’s historical and contemporary challenges.
******Copyrighted information, for general consumption, do not use without permission. Publication stands for accurate, fair, unbiased reporting, without malice and is not responsible for errors, research, reliability and referencing. Reader discretion is advised. For feedback, corrections, complaints, contact within 7 days of content publication at newsip2005@gmail.com. Disputes will be under exclusive jurisdiction of High Court of Delhi.