Chandigarh, 25 June – Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini stated that “Samvidhan Hatya Diwas” serves as a solemn reminder that the arrogance of power and nepotism are among the biggest threats to democracy. He emphasized that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and it is our paramount duty to uphold and protect it. Any action that undermines or violates its core principles cannot and should not be ignored.
Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini was addressing a press conference held in Karnal today to mark Samvidhan Hatya Diwas. He paid tribute to the brave heroes who stood up against dictatorship during the Emergency, noting that they endured imprisonment and torture but never surrendered their principles. “Today, I salute all those heroes who raised their voices for democracy,” he added.
People were jailed and tortured during the Emergency
Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that the country is observing ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’ to mark 50 years since the Emergency was imposed. On June 25, 1975, the soul of the Constitution was attacked when the Emergency was declared, putting our democratic values in danger. Although it was claimed that there was an internal crisis, the real reason was a personal desire to stay in power.
For the next 21 months, the country was under dictatorship. Many people who believed in democracy were put in jail and tortured. Sh Saini said that the purpose of observing Samvidhan Hatya Diwas is to remind people especially the younger generation about the importance of democracy, and to keep everyone aware and alert about protecting our democratic system.
Haryana’s people played a key role in the struggle
He said the Emergency was not only a constitutional crisis but also an assault on the process of democracy which guarantees freedom of expression, equality and justice. It was also an attack on the ideas of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, who gave the slogan “One Nation – One Constitution” and sacrificed his life for this cause. The Chief Minister said that the people of Haryana also stood strong in this struggle. Many people had sacrificed everything to protect democracy.
Hypocrisy of saving the constitution without true respect
The Chief Minister said that some people are going around holding the Constitution’s book, but this is just hypocrisy when it comes to truly protecting it. These same people claim that the Constitution, written by Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, is under threat. Yet, there was a time when their own party openly destroyed the Constitution under the cover of darkness. He added that those whose political predecessors imposed dictatorship on the country, suppressed the press, jailed leaders, and carried out forced sterilization cannot honestly claim to be defenders of the Constitution and democracy today. Before giving speeches about democracy, they should admit their mistakes, accept responsibility for harming democracy, and apologize to the nation.
Their ‘Save Constitution’ slogan is just political opportunism and a hunger for power
Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that their slogan of ‘Save Constitution’ is merely a symbol of political opportunism and a hunger for power. In contrast, the present government, under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, is truly following the democratic spirit of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas’, with the Constitution held as supreme. Every action taken by the government aims to strengthen the Constitution. Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi has also emphasized that democratic values and the Constitution remain our highest priority.
Congress misused Section 356 over 90 times to dismiss State Governments
He said that the party which crushed democracy during the Emergency is again trying to spread confusion in the society by invoking the Constitution. During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi claimed that if the BJP returned to power, it would abolish the Constitution. However, the people of the country rejected these baseless claims and gave a strong mandate to the BJP under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi for the third consecutive time.
Sh Nayab Singh Saini pointed out that the history of the Congress party shows it upheld divisive policies like Article 370, misused Article 356 over 90 times to dismiss state governments, and amended the Constitution more than 75 times to serve its political interests. For them, the Constitution has never been an ideal but just a political tool. Whenever their power was threatened, they sacrificed the core values of the Constitution.
Prime Minister took historic steps to strengthen national unity and integrity
The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Sh Amit Shah have set historic examples for the people from strengthening the unity and integrity of the country to protecting it from external threats. Whether it is fulfilling Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee’s dream of ‘One Nation – One Constitution’ stretching from Jammu and Kashmir to Kanyakumari, or successfully eliminating terrorism and terrorists on Pakistani soil through ‘Operation Sindoor’, the whole world recognizes its strength and determination.
After the year 2014, the state government took several important decisions in honour of the Loktantra Senanis
Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that as soon as the government came to power in 2014, it began taking care of Loktantra Senanis in Haryana. The first ‘Loktantra Senani Samman Samaroh’ was organized in Rohtak on 26 June 2015. At that time, the government made many important announcements to honor the Loktantra Senanis. Following through on these promises, the government arranged medical facilities for Loktantra Senanis and their spouses, similar to those given to government employees. They also provided free travel in Haryana Roadways’ ordinary buses and a 75 percent fare waiver in Volvo buses.
He added that a monthly pension was also started for Loktantra Senanis, which has now been increased to Rs 20,000 per month. Currently, 501 Loktantra Senani and their widows in the state receive this pension, including 53 Loktantra Senani from Karnal district.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister appealed that everyone should take a pledge to always stay vigilant in protecting the Constitution and ensure that democracy is never threatened again.
On this occasion, MLA Shri Yogendra Rana, Shri Bhagwan Das Kabirpanthi, Karnal Mayor Smt. Renu Bala Gupta, Chief Minister’s Media Secretary Shri Praveen Attre and other dignitaries were present.
