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Emergency 50th Anniversary: Amit Shah To Flag Off 'Long Live Democracy Yatra' Tomorrow
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The 'Long Live Democracy Yatra' will travel the length and breadth of India to raise awareness on constitutional values, democratic rights, and the lessons learnt from Emergency
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will flag off a 'Long Live Democracy Yatra' to mark 50 years of the imposition of Emergency, among several other commemorative events to be held across India.
Shah is slated to attend the main event at Thyagaraj Stadium as a chief guest on Wednesday (June 25). The yatra will travel the length and breadth of the country to raise awareness on constitutional values, democratic rights, and the lessons learnt from Emergency.
According to the culture ministry, in collaboration with the Delhi government, it will commemorate 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' at Thyagaraj Stadium marking 50 years since Emergency on June 25, 1975.
'The solemn occasion will serve as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding democratic values and constitutional rights," the culture ministry said.
The culture ministry underlined that Emergency remains 'one of the darkest chapters" in India's post-independence history.
'Fundamental rights were suspended, press freedoms curtailed, and democratic institutions were silenced. In 2024, the Government of India officially notified June 25 as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' to ensure that this critical period is not forgotten and the sanctity of democracy is consistently upheld," it said.
WHAT HAPPENS IN DELHI?
The ministry said key highlights of the event in Delhi include a special exhibition on Indian democracy, a play to be staged by the National School of Drama (NSD), and the screening of a short film on Emergency.
The NSD's powerful dramatisation of Emergency era will highlight its impact on the public and democratic institutions, and the specially commissioned film will offer a cinematic reflection on the imposition and consequences. There will also be an interactive installation inviting the public to write personal messages reaffirming their commitment to constitutional values.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta are also scheduled to attend the event.
HOW WILL STATES MARK THE OCCASION?
In addition to the main event in Delhi, states and union territories will host commemorative programmes led by respective chief ministers, governors, and lieutenant governors. These events will honour individuals who resisted Emergency and defended democracy with exhibitions, public discussions, and film screenings and facilitate inter-generational dialogue on the fragility and strength of democratic institutions.
A 'Long Live Democracy' exhibition will also be launched at 50 key locations in each state and UT, which will remain open to the public in the coming weeks.
The exhibition will be divided into three curated sections — 'Bharat – Mother of Democracy', showcasing India's ancient and participative democratic traditions; 'Dark Days of Democracy', chronicling the events and consequences of the 1975 Emergency'; and 'Strengthening Democracy in India', featuring recent democratic reforms like electoral transparency, Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, Direct Benefit Transfer, and digital public grievance platforms.
First Published:
June 24, 2025, 20:49 IST
