The Odisha government has instructed all public universities and colleges under the Higher Education Department to observe June 25 2025 as lsquoSamvidhan Hatya Diwasrsquo marking the 50th anniversary of the Emergency imposed in India during 1975.
The directive issued through an official letter to educational institutions mandates the organisation of a full day of activities to raise awareness about Constitutional values democratic rights and the impact of the Emergency.
The observance aligns with a Ministry of Home Affairs notification dated July 11 2024 which officially recognised June 25 as lsquoSamvidhan Hatya Diwasrsquo at the national level.
What Institutions Have Been Asked to Do
On June 25 colleges and universities are required to organise a mass awareness march with students and faculty carrying placards and slogans promoting Constitutional values.
In addition departments particularly Political Science must host seminars on the Preamble of the Constitution.
The state has also called for debates lectures and workshops focusing on the suspension of rights during the Emergency as well as panel discussions with legal experts educators and students on themes of democracy and civic responsibility.
ALSO READOdisha launches Apprenticeship-Embedded Degree programs AEDPs for 2025ndash26 session
To promote broader engagement institutions are expected to conduct competitions including essay writing poster-making slogan contests quizzes and street plays under the theme ldquoSave the Constitution.rdquo Screening of documentaries or short films related to constitutional history has also been advised.
Notably all participating institutions must document their activities including photographs attendance records and detailed event reports and submit them to the department by June 28 2025.
Why the Day Is Being Marked
The Higher Education Department in its circular described the Emergency as ldquothe darkest period in Indiarsquos democratic historyrdquo citing its sweeping suspension of civil liberties press censorship and mass arrests of political leaders and journalists.
ALSO READOdisha govt plans roads new cities for ambitious Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri-Paradip Economic Region
The observance the department said is intended to serve as a moment for deep reflection and renewed commitment to democratic principles and constitutional morality especially among the student community.