BJP Observes Constitution Murder Day, Honours Democracy Activists
Mathura: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mathura Mahanagar (Braj Kshetra) observed the 51st anniversary of the 1975 Emergency by organizing a Constitution Murder Day programme and a ceremony to honour democracy activists at Parinay Garden on Masani Link Road, Mathura. The event remembered the period of Emergency while paying tribute to individuals who participated in the movement to defend democratic values.
The programme was inaugurated with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary, MLA Shrikant Sharma, Rajya Sabha MP Tejveer Singh, BJP Mathura Mahanagar President Raju Yadav, District President Nirbhay Pandey, MLA Meghshyam Singh and Vishwa Hindu Parishad Provincial President Kanhaiya Lal Agrawal.
Addressing the gathering as the chief speaker, Cabinet Minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary said that the Emergency imposed in 1975 resulted in the suspension of citizens’ fundamental rights. He alleged that the decision was taken after a court verdict weakened the then government’s political position. According to him, institutions including the judiciary and the press faced severe restrictions during that period. He further said that the younger generation should understand the sacrifices made by democracy activists, whose struggles contributed to preserving democratic values and freedom of expression.
Speaking as the guest of honour, MLA Shrikant Sharma described June 25, 1975, as a significant and controversial chapter in independent India’s political history. He alleged that the Emergency transformed the country into what he described as a prison overnight and claimed that democratic institutions were adversely affected during that period. Sharma also criticized the then Congress government, stating that political interests had taken precedence over democratic principles.
During the programme, BJP leaders and speakers reiterated their views on the historical significance of the Emergency and stressed the importance of safeguarding democratic institutions and constitutional values. The event primarily reflected the political perspectives expressed by the speakers regarding the Emergency period.
A total of 101 democracy activists were felicitated during the ceremony. Those honoured included Purushottam Sikarwar, Mahendra Kumar Agrawal, Banwari Lal Sharma, Nawab Singh, Rekha Sharma, former minister Ravikant Garg, Vijay Bahadur, Rajesh Kumar Mangla, Gopeshwar Nath Chaturvedi, Radhakrishna Khandelwal, Gaurishankar Asthana, Roshan Lal and Banke Lal Agrawal, among others.
Several senior BJP leaders, public representatives and social workers were also present, including Sultan Singh Sarkar, Niranjan Singh Dhangar, Roshan Lal, former MLA Shyam Singh Aheriya, former Mayor Dr. Mukesh Arya Bandhu, Dr. Devendra Sharma, Virendra Agrawal, General Secretary Kunj Bihari Chaturvedi, Ram Kishan Pathak, Lalit Gautam, Deepak Gola, Pooja Chaudhary, Shyam Sharma, Malay Singh Rathore, Yogesh Abha, Balram Sharma, Manoj Saunoth, Sanjay Sharma, Chandrapal Kuntal, Kalpana Garg, Sunita Upadhyay and Akash Chaudhary.
The programme concluded with the felicitation of democracy activists and a collective tribute to individuals recognised by the organisers for their contribution to protecting democratic values. The remarks made during the event reflect the views of the participating political leaders and organisers regarding the Emergency and its historical impact.