Marking the 50th anniversary of the 1975 Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has strongly criticized the Congress party, demanding an apology for the events that transpired during that period. RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, speaking at an event in Delhi on Thursday, June 26, 2025, stated that those who "wronged the nation" must apologize for the imposition of the Emergency.
Hosabale recalled the suppression of democracy, the jailing and torture of thousands, and the curtailment of freedom of the judiciary and the media during the Emergency. He also highlighted the large-scale forced sterilization programs that were carried out. He questioned the legitimacy of those who imposed the Emergency and their political heirs now "flaunting the Constitution without ever apologizing to the people". He went on to say that it was not enough for those who imposed the Emergency to apologize, but also from their political heirs today.
Furthermore, Hosabale reignited the debate surrounding the inclusion of the words "socialist" and "secular" in the Constitution's Preamble during the Emergency. He questioned the legitimacy of their inclusion and their long-term impact on Indian democracy. He also made a strong push for the removal of the terms "socialist" and "secular" from the Preamble of the Constitution, which he stated were inserted by the Congress government during the Emergency.
The RSS's criticism comes amidst a broader political discourse surrounding the 50th anniversary of the Emergency. The Congress party, on the other hand, has accused the BJP government of orchestrating a "drama" by observing "Samvidhan Hatya Divas" (Constitution Murder Day) to divert attention from their own governance failures. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge claimed that India has been witnessing an "undeclared emergency" for the past 11 years, alleging that the BJP government has weakened constitutional authorities and that the Election Commission has become a "puppet of the government." Kharge further targeted the RSS, stating that those who played no role in India's independence or the framing of the Constitution are now talking about saving democracy.
The Congress has also claimed that the then-RSS chief, Balasaheb Deoras, had supported the Emergency and distanced the RSS from Jayaprakash Narayan's movement. Maharashtra Congress President Harshavardhan Sapkal stated that Indira Gandhi made the decision to impose the Emergency due to the prevailing circumstances and that the party has admitted to administrative errors during that time.
However, the RSS has maintained that it played a crucial role in resisting the Emergency. They claim that their "Swayamsevaks" offered peaceful "Satyagraha" and that over 1.5 lakh people participated in the resistance, with 80,000 of them being RSS workers. They highlight the sacrifices made by their members, who were jailed, beaten, and, in some cases, martyred for their role in defending democracy.
As the political blame game continues, the 50th anniversary of the Emergency serves as a reminder of a dark chapter in India's democratic history. The RSS's demand for an apology from the Congress underscores the deep-seated political divisions and the ongoing debate about the legacy of the Emergency.
