New Delhi [India], June 25 (ANI): Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using the 50th anniversary of the Emergency to divert public attention from issues like unemployment, inflation and demonetisation.

Kharge said the Modi-led government was trying to cover up its 'failures and repeated lies' by marking the day as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' and focusing on a chapter of history that had ended decades ago.

Addressing a press conference, Kharge said, 'We are facing an undeclared emergency in the country today... The BJP got rattled by our 'Samvidhan Bachao Yatra' and started talking about 50 years of Emergency. Those who could not do much during their tenure, also could not give any answers on issues of unemployment, inflation and demonetisation, are doing this (marking 50 years of imposition of Emergency as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas) to hide their failures and repeated lies.'

He criticised the Prime Minister for instructing states to officially observe the Emergency anniversary.

'The PM on behalf of the government has taken out a circular directing all states to mark the 50 years of Emergency as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas,' Kharge said.

He also questioned the BJP's commitment to the Constitution, accusing the party of having had no role in India's independence movement or the drafting of the Constitution.

'I only want to say that those who are talking about saving the Constitution now are only trying to raise the issue that had ended in the past. Those who did not have any role in the Indian independence movement and the making of the Constitution are talking about it now. They had even burnt images of Gandhi ji, Ambedkar ji and others,' he further alleged.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised the Emergency, describing it as an 'era of injustice' driven by the Congress party's 'hunger for power'. He said the Modi government had declared June 25 as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' to ensure future generations understand the dangers of dictatorship.

In a post on X, Shah said, 'The 'Emergency' was an 'era of injustice' driven by Congress's hunger for power. The Emergency imposed on June 25, 1975, caused immense pain and suffering to the people of the nation. To ensure that the new generation understands this, the Modi government has named this day Samvidhan Hatya Diwas. This day reminds us that when power turns into dictatorship, the people have the strength to uproot it.'

He further added, 'The Emergency was not a national necessity but a reflection of the anti-democratic mindset of Congress and one individual. The freedom of the press was crushed, the judiciary's hands were tied, and social activists were thrown into jail. The people of the nation raised the battle cry of 'Vacate the Throne' and overthrew the dictatorial Congress. Heartfelt tributes to all the brave souls who sacrificed their lives in this struggle.'

Earlier in the day, the Union Cabinet observed a two-minute silence in memory of those who lost their constitutionally guaranteed rights and endured 'unimaginable horrors' during the Emergency. The Cabinet passed a resolution paying tribute to their 'exemplary courage and valiant resistance'.

Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Modi, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the resolution was passed to mark 50 years since the Proclamation of Emergency.

The resolution read, 'The year 2025 marks 50 years of the Samvidhan Hatya Diwas - an unforgettable chapter in the history of India where the Constitution was subverted, the Republic and democratic spirit of India was attacked, federalism was undermined, and fundamental rights, human liberty and dignity were suspended.'

It further said the Emergency was an attempt at 'subversion of the spirit of the Indian Constitution' that began in 1974 with efforts to suppress popular movements like the Navnirman Andolan and Sampoorna Kranti Abhiyan.

'It is as important for the young as it is for the old to draw inspiration from those who resisted dictatorial tendencies and stood firm to defend our Constitution and its democratic fabric,' the resolution said.

Reiterating India's commitment to democracy, it added, 'India, as the Mother of Democracy, stands as an example of preserving, protecting and safeguarding constitutional values. Let us, as a Nation, renew our resolve to uphold our Constitution and its democratic and federal spirit.'

The Emergency, declared by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on June 25, 1975, lasted for 21 months and is remembered for widespread curbs on civil liberties, press censorship, and mass arrests of political opponents. The BJP continues to mark the day each year as a reminder of what it calls an assault on democracy. (ANI)