Dehradun: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar reached Uttarakhand on a three-day visit starting Wednesday. He was welcomed at Haldwani airport by Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmeet Singh (Retd), State Minister Rekha Arya, and MP Ajay Bhatt. His visit includes key programs in Nainital, focusing on education and remembrance of India’s democratic history.
On the first day of his tour, the Vice President attended the Golden Jubilee celebration of Kumaon University as chief guest. Speaking to students and faculty, he described the Emergency of 1975–77 as the “darkest period” in India’s democracy. He said it is important for today’s youth to understand and remember the events of that time, so that such situations do not repeat in the future.
Dhankhar highlighted how the Emergency was declared on the night of 25 June 1975, without consulting the Cabinet. He recalled the 21-month-long period as a time of great threat to democracy. “It was a time when people’s rights were taken away and voices were silenced,” he said. He also mentioned that the day was rightfully marked as “Constitution Murder Day” by many, because it reflected a direct attack on the spirit of the Indian Constitution.
During his speech, he paid tribute to Justice H.R. Khanna, the lone judge in the Supreme Court who stood against the government’s decision during the Emergency. “A leading American newspaper had said that if democracy ever returns to India, a memorial should be built for HR Khanna who stood firm on his principles,” the Vice President noted.
Later that evening, the Vice President met the Governor at the Raj Bhavan in Nainital and discussed education and administrative matters of the state.
On the final day of his visit, June 27, he will participate as the chief guest in the 156th Foundation Day celebrations of Sherwood College.
