50 Years Since the Emergency: From Prison Cells to Power Corridors—Where Are the Leaders of Resistance Now?

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Wed Jun 25 14:25:08 IST 2025
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On 25 June 1975, India witnessed one of its darkest political episodes—the Emergency, imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. For 21 months, civil liberties were suspended, media was muzzled, and the opposition was jailed. But from this storm emerged a generation of leaders who would go on to reshape Indian politics. Fifty years later, many of those once imprisoned have either faded from public life or passed on, while their political legacy still influences India today.

Still Alive: The Torchbearers of Resistance L.K. Advani (BJP)

  • Then: Imprisoned for 19 months; a key figure in the anti-Emergency movement.

  • Now: Retired from active politics due to age and health, he serves on the BJP’s advisory board. A pivotal figure in building the BJP’s modern foundation.

Lalu Prasad Yadav (RJD)

  • Then: Jailed under the MISA Act; named his daughter Misa Bharti in tribute to the struggle.

  • Now: Convicted in the fodder scam, out on bail, and guiding son Tejashwi Yadav’s political rise. Remains the president of the RJD despite poor health.

Subramanian Swamy

  • Then: Evaded arrest, exposed the Emergency from abroad, and briefly entered Parliament mid-Emergency in a daring return.

  • Now: Marginalized in the BJP, Swamy is known for his sharp critiques and independent voice on national issues.

Nitish Kumar (JDU)

  • Then: Arrested in June 1976; later gained visibility for resisting the Emergency.

  • Now: Chief Minister of Bihar, a dominant figure in the state's politics for nearly two decades. Still a crucial player in alliance politics.

No Longer With Us: The Giants of Resistance Jai Prakash Narayan (JP)

  • Then: Architect of the anti-Emergency movement; united opposition forces.

  • Legacy: The movement is still referred to as the JP Movement; passed away in 1979.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee

  • Then: Arrested during the Emergency; later became Foreign Minister in 1977.

  • Legacy: Served three terms as Prime Minister, awarded the Bharat Ratna. Died in 2018.

George Fernandes

  • Then: Accused of planning bombings to protest the Emergency; contested and won 1977 elections from jail.

  • Legacy: Served as Defence Minister, known for bold decisions. Died in 2019.

Raj Narain

  • Then: His legal case against Indira Gandhi led to her election being declared invalid.

  • Legacy: Defeated Indira Gandhi in 1977, symbolizing the fall of authoritarian rule. Passed away in 1986.

Mulayam Singh Yadav

  • Then: Jailed during the Emergency; rose from student activism.

  • Legacy: Three-time Chief Minister of UP, former Defence Minister. Passed away in 2022.

Ram Vilas Paswan

  • Then: Rose to prominence through the JP Movement.

  • Legacy: Held multiple Union portfolios; remained a powerful Dalit leader until his death in 2020.

Sharad Yadav

  • Then: Emerged as a student leader during the Emergency.

  • Legacy: Served multiple terms in Parliament; passed away in 2023.

Prime Ministers Who Emerged from the Shadows of the Emergency

  • Morarji Desai: First non-Congress PM post-Emergency in 1977.

  • Charan Singh: Briefly became PM after Morarji; both resisted Indira Gandhi’s authoritarianism.

  • Chandrashekhar: Another product of the Emergency-era opposition, later served as PM.

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