Today, the 25th of June, marks the 44th anniversary of one of independent India's darkest era, the Emergency.
It was on this day in 1975 that the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, imposed emergency at midnight. Although officially issued by the then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed because of the prevailing "internal disturbance", the state of Emergency lasted for 19 months and was withdrawn on 21 March 1977.
With elections suspended, press censored, most of Gandhi's political opponents imprisoned and several human rights violated, this is considered one of Independent India's most controversial periods.
Taking to Twitter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "India salutes all those greats who fiercely and fearlessly resisted the Emergency. India's democratic ethos successfully prevailed over an authoritarian mindset."
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "The declaration of Emergency on June 25, 1975 and the incidents that followed, mark as one of the darkest chapters in India's history. On this day, we the people of India should always remember the importance of upholding the integrity our institutions and the Constitution."
