Jammu, June 25 -- "The President has proclaimed an Emergency. There is no need to panic,"-this is what Indira Gandhi said on All India Radio on June 25, 1975. Her words left the citizens of India in shock and, at the same time, marked one of the most significant moments in the country's democratic history. Today marks 50 years since one of the darkest chapters in Indian politics.

The then-President, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, imposed the Emergency across the country under Article 352, acting on the advice of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The period lasted for 21 months, until 21 March 1977.

The Government of India, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, decided to observe the day as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' (Constitution Murder Day)-the reason ...