JUNE 25 WAS THE DAY OF THE MURDER OF CONSTITUTION: BHAGAT SINGH KOSHYARI

JUNE 25 WAS THE DAY OF THE MURDER OF CONSTITUTION: BHAGAT SINGH KOSHYARI

26-JUNE-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

DELHI-----------------------Marking the 51st anniversary of the Emergency imposed in India in 1975, Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari—former Governor of Maharashtra and Goa and former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand—launched the book *Democracy and Human Rights in India: Reflections from Emergency (1975–1977)* today. The book is authored by Dr. Sudhir Singh, a renowned political scientist and professor at the University of Delhi.

The book launch ceremony was held at Tagore Hall in the Faculty of Arts, University of Delhi. The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Delhi, Prof. Yogesh Singh, attended the event as the guest of honor. A large number of academicians, intellectuals, students, media representatives, and distinguished citizens participated in the program.

This book presents a serious analysis of one of the most controversial periods in the history of independent India—the Emergency (1975–1977). It examines the impact of the Emergency on constitutional institutions, civil liberties, democratic governance, and human rights from both historical and conceptual perspectives.

In his address, Dr. Sudhir Singh said, "For nineteen months, Indian democracy remained under the shadow of deep darkness. State power was wielded against democratic institutions, including the judiciary. According to Kautilya, just governance is the cornerstone of any political system. The imposition of the Emergency was a severe blow to democratic values."

Sharing his personal experiences from the Emergency—a period during which he spent several months in prison—Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari stated, "June 25 should be remembered as the 'Day of the Murder of the Constitution.' It is a dark chapter in the history of Indian democracy, and future generations must always remember the lessons learned from it."

Addressing the gathering, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Yogesh Singh emphasized the importance of historical memory in safeguarding democratic values. He remarked, "It is crucial for the younger generation to understand this dark chapter of Indian democracy." "The launch of this book is akin to reopening an old wound; yet, a nation that forgets its wounds risks repeating them."

Dr. Sudhir Singh has recently been appointed as a Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Delhi. A distinguished scholar, he has authored five books, edited twenty-three, and published ninety-three research papers in national and international journals.

Many eminent academicians and intellectuals attended the event, notably Prof. Bharti Sharma, Prof. B.K. Singh, Prof. M. Rahmatullah, Prof. Kumar Ashutosh, Prof. Ranjana Mukhopadhyay, Prof. Prerna Malhotra, Dr. Kamakhya Tiwari, Prof. A.S. Yaruingam, Prof. Ravi Prakash Tekchandani, DUTA President Prof. V.S. Negi, and Dr. Rupesh Chauhan.

Dr. Sudhir Singh is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Delhi. His primary areas of research and writing include democracy, good governance, public policy, human rights, and Indian political thought.

This book has been published by Kitabwale, headed by Prashant Jain. The publishing house is known for publishing books in Hindi and English across genres such as culture, history, fiction, non-fiction, and general interest.