Odisha universities, colleges to observe ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’ on June 25; notification issued

The Odisha government has instructed all public universities and colleges under the Higher Education Department to observe June 25, 2025, as ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’, 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 ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’ 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.

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To promote broader engagement, institutions are expected to conduct competitions including essay writing, poster-making, slogan contests, quizzes, and street plays under the theme “Save the Constitution.” 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 “the darkest period in India’s democratic history,” citing its sweeping suspension of civil liberties, press censorship, and mass arrests of political leaders and journalists.

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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.