The Kashmir Dialogues
Jammu, June 25 (TKD):
Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, on Tuesday inaugurated the 1975 Emergency Exhibition at the Convention Centre in Jammu, marking the observance of Samvidhan Hatya Diwas—a solemn reflection on what he termed as the darkest period in India’s democratic history.
The exhibition commemorates the events of the 1975 Emergency, a 21-month period marked by the suspension of civil liberties, press censorship, and mass arrests. Speaking at the event, LG Sinha described the Emergency as a time when “the soul of the country was crushed, civil liberties were attacked, constitutional safeguards were violated, and the dreams of nation-building were buried.”
He emphasized that the observation of Samvidhan Hatya Diwas is not only to honor those who bravely resisted the authoritarian measures but also to reaffirm a collective commitment to democratic values and constitutional morality.
“Emergency was the most inhuman act in the history of Indian democracy. Today’s remembrance is a call for deep reflection and a renewed dedication to safeguarding the ideals that define our Constitution,” LG Sinha said.
He urged citizens, especially the younger generation, to understand the sacrifices made by countless individuals during that period and to work with unyielding resolve to strengthen the foundations of India’s democracy.
The event drew participation from civil society members, scholars, students, and political observers, and featured visual documentation and narratives detailing the experiences and resistance during the Emergency.
Sheikh Sameer
M S Nazki
