New Delhi, June 20, 2025:
On June 25, the Delhi government will launch a public exhibition at Connaught Place to commemorate the 50th anniversary of India's Emergency. The controversial national emergency that was imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977, is commemorated by the display.
The purpose of the exhibition, "Remembering the Emergency," is to inform the public about the 21 month period during which civil liberties were suspended, the press was censored, and opposition leaders were arrested in large numbers. Rare archival photos, official declarations, press clippings, and audit records from the unrest of that time period will be on display, and admission is free.
Our goal is to remind the country of the value of democratic rights," stated Sheela Reddy, a senior official in the Delhi Culture Department. This exhibit demonstrates the consequences of suspending constitutional protections. The exhibit will feature information about Sanjay Gandhi's forced sterilization campaigns, press censorship, and the arrest of more than 100,000 activists.
Visitors will be able to investigate events like the 1976 demolition of Delhi's Turkman Gate, where police opened fire on residents during slum clearance drives, thanks to interactive installations. Testimonies from people who were detained during the Emergency will also be featured on the show, providing a poignant and intimate look into the time.
With assistance from archival materials from the National Archives, the exhibition was organized in partnership with the India Foundation for the Arts and the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML). It will end on July 8 after two weeks of operation. Leaders of the opposition have praised the action. "This is an important reminder for future generations of the fragility of democracy," said a senior congressional spokesperson.
In the meantime, Delhi University student organizations have indicated interest in planning young adult guided tours. The opening is also anticipated to be attended by Delhi BJP representatives. To commemorate the anniversary of the Emergency, youth organizations affiliated with the BJP held a similar event at Connaught Place last year.
Because the exhibition is situated in the busy business district of Connaught Place, visitors should anticipate increased security. Officials encourage attendees to take public transportation and parking in the area. Particularly in light of this year's national elections, the Delhi government hopes the exhibition will ignite discussions about media freedom, constitutional protections, and the rule of law.
The Connaught Place exhibition is expected to serve as both a memorial and a warning about the cost of unbridled political power as the country considers a pivotal period in its history.
