Centre plans activities for 50th anniversary of the Emergency

The central government is planning a mega commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, including public marches with pre-approved slogans, six nationwide torch processions, events prominently featuring the Sengol, a short film by the ministry of information and broadcasting, and exhibitions at railway stations, malls and schools, a letter sent by the government said on Wednesday.

- Snehashish Roy

NEW DELHI:

In a letter dated June 14, Union culture secretary Vivek Aggarwal said the commemoration will begin on June 25, 2025 and continue until June 25, 2026.

As announced in 2024, the date when Emergency was imposed—June 25—is observed annually as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas'.

"Emergency witnessed a sweeping suspension of civil liberties, erosion of constitutional safeguards and unprecedented centralisation of executive power... This year, on June 25, 2025, the nation observes the 50th anniversary of the imposition of the Emergency... The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, is undertaking a yearlong commemoration starting June 25, 2025, till June 25, 2026," the letter further said.