Garhwal Post Bureau
Nainital, 25 Jun: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said today, “Fifty years ago, on this very day, the world’s oldest, largest, and now most vibrant democracy faced a grave crisis. This crisis was unforeseen – like an earthquake that sought to destroy democracy. This was the imposition of the Emergency. That night was dark; the Cabinet was sidelined. The then Prime Minister, who was facing an adverse High Court verdict, disregarded the entire nation and took a decision driven by personal interest. The President, crushing constitutional values, signed the proclamation of Emergency. The ensuing period of 21-22 months was extremely turbulent and unimaginable for democracy. It was the darkest chapter of our democratic history.”
Addressing students and faculty as Chief Guest at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Kumaun University, Nainital, he said, “One lakh forty thousand people were put behind bars. They had no access to justice. They could not protect their fundamental rights. Nine High Courts displayed courage and ruled that whether Emergency exists or not, fundamental rights could not be suspended, and every citizen had the right to approach the courts. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court—the highest court of the land—failed the people. It overturned the decisions of these nine High Courts. It held two things—that the proclamation of Emergency was an executive decision not subject to judicial review, and that the duration of Emergency too was solely at the discretion of the executive. Citizens would have no fundamental rights during Emergency. This was a massive blow to the people.”
Highlighting the significance of observing this day as Constitution Murder Day, he said, “Our youth must reflect on this, because unless they know and understand what happened—what was done to the press, who were jailed, many of whom later became Prime Ministers and Presidents—they cannot remain unaware of this dark phase. That is why it is important to create awareness. Today’s government has rightly decided to observe this day as Constitution Murder Day, to ensure that such an event never happens again, and to identify those responsible for trampling human rights and the spirit of the Constitution. Who were they? Why did they do this? Let us also remember that in the Supreme Court, one judge—Justice HR Khanna—dissented. A leading US newspaper remarked that when democracy returns to India, there will surely be a monument for HR Khanna who did not compromise on his values.”
Emphasising the role of campus-based education, Dhankhar said, “Educational institutions are not merely places for acquiring degrees or certificates. If that were the case, why would campus-based learning matter more than virtual learning? The time spent with peers shapes your thinking. These institutions are places of the transformation we need, the change we seek, and the nation we aspire to build. They are natural, organic hubs of thought and innovation. It is vital that we not only generate ideas but also reflect on them. If fear of failure stifles ideas, there can be no innovation or experimentation, and our progress halts. These are places that the world envies—our youth here have the opportunity not only to shape their own future but also to shape India’s destiny. So please, go ahead. As a popular corporate tagline says: ‘Just do it’. I would add—‘Do it now’.”
Underscoring the significance of alumni, Dhankhar said, “In the past 50 years, this institution has produced a large number of alumni. Alumni are vital components of any institution. Just check social media or Google—many universities in developed countries have alumni funds exceeding 10 billion dollars; some even over 50 billion dollars. This is built over time, drop by drop. Imagine if 100,000 alumni of this great institution contribute just Rs 10,000 annually—this would mean Rs 100 crore every year. With this, you would never need to look elsewhere. You would be self-reliant. Alumni would feel connected to their alma mater and provide guidance and support. Therefore, I urge you to start a strong alumni association from this Land of the Gods.”
Addressing the gathering, Governor Lt General Gurmit Singh (Retd) said that, over the past fifty years, Kumaun University has not only achieved academic excellence but has also illuminated the lives of the most marginalised through the light of knowledge. He noted that the university has consistently inspired the youth of Uttarakhand towards innovation, research, and leadership.
The Governor emphasised, “India is a young nation, with 65% of its population below 35 years of age. This demographic dividend can only be realised by equipping youth with quality education, employable skills, entrepreneurship, and social consciousness. Kumaun University must move towards a global horizon while remaining mindful of local needs. Universities must not only educate but inspire, train, and nurture responsible citizens.”
He added, “Teachers play the most crucial role in nation building. They don’t just impart knowledge—they shape personalities, give rise to leadership, and instil values in thought. Their role must go beyond curriculum delivery—they must excel in both teaching and research, use technology effectively, connect students with value-based ideology, and foster the spirit of ‘Nation First’ among them. This Golden Jubilee is not just a celebration, but a moment for introspection, resolve, and rebuilding.”
Before the event, the Vice President planted two saplings at Hermitage Bhavan under the Plant a Tree in Mother’s Name campaign, in honour of his revered parents.
Present on the occasion were Higher Education, Medical and Health Minister Dr Dhan Singh Rawat, Nainital MLA Sarita Arya, Bhimtal MLA Ram Singh Kaida, former MP Dr Mahendra Pal, Kumaon Commissioner Deepak Rawat, IG, Police, Riddhim Aggarwal, District Magistrate Vandana, Kumaun University Vice Chancellor Diwan Singh Rawat, Uttarakhand Open University Vice Chancellor Prof OPS Negi, GB Pant University of Agriculture & Technology Vice Chancellor Dr Manmohan Singh Chauhan, and others.
