June 25, 1975: 50 Years Since The Emergency, Why Indira Gandhi's Decision Is India's Darkest Chapter

As we commemorate 50 years since the historic Emergency , Prime Minister Narendra Modi described it as a “black spot” on India’s democracy during the inaugural session of the new Lok Sabha on Monday.

In his address, PM Modi remarked, “The new generation of India will never forget that the Constitution of India was completely rejected, every part of the Constitution was torn to pieces, the country was turned into a prison, democracy was completely suppressed.

“While protecting our Constitution, while protecting the democratic traditions, the countrymen will take a resolution that no one will dare to do such a thing in India again which was done 50 years ago. We will take a resolution of a vibrant democracy. We will take a resolution to fulfil the dreams of the common people as per the directions of the Constitution of India.”

Let us recall the events of this day 50 years ago.

“The President has proclaimed the Emergency. This is nothing to panic about. I am sure you are all aware of the deep and widespread conspiracy, which has been brewing ever since I began to introduce certain progressive measures of benefit for the common man and woman in India” – this announcement was made by then prime minister Indira Gandhi on the All India Radio while declaring Emergency in 1975 .

The two-year-long Emergency, commencing on June 25, 1975, and concluding on March 21, 1977, is regarded as the darkest period in the history of Independent India and a significant turn in the evolution of the Indian National Congress.

Factors Leading to the Declaration of Emergency

Indira Gandhi assumed office as prime minister in January 1966. The Congress party experienced a split after Gandhi was expelled for violating party discipline in November 1969. Four years later, demonstrations against her government increased.

Indira Gandhi had secured a victory in the 1971 Lok Sabha election from Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh, defeating socialist leader Raj Narain, who subsequently challenged her election, citing electoral malpractices and violations of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Allegations included the use of her election agent Yashpal Kapoor, a government servant, and utilizing government officials for personal election-related work. The court found her guilty of electoral malpractices, disqualified her from Parliament, and imposed a six-year ban on her holding any elected position.

On June 12, 1975, the Allahabad High Court’s verdict declared Indira Gandhi guilty of electoral malpractices and barred her from holding any elected post, a critical factor leading to the Emergency.

President Fakhruddin Ali issued the order on June 25, 1975, under Article 352 of the Constitution, citing “internal disturbances” as the justification, which halted elections and granted the prime minister extensive powers.

While many Congress leaders opposed the Emergency declaration, a few loyalists, including then chief minister of West Bengal, Siddhartha Shankar Ray, supported Indira Gandhi’s decision. Ray drafted a letter for the President to issue the proclamation based on intelligence Indira Gandhi received, indicating “an imminent danger to the security of India being threatened by internal disturbances.” He demonstrated how democratic freedoms could be suspended while remaining within the constitutional framework, according to a report by The Indian Express.

Indira Gandhi argued that national security threats necessitated strict law and order measures. The country had just ended a war with Pakistan and faced economic challenges, prompting protests and strikes.

Life During the Emergency

Fundamental rights were curtailed, political leaders imprisoned, and media censorship imposed. The government reportedly banned trade union activity, strikes, and imposed fixed wages without bonuses.

During this period, Sanjay Gandhi, Indira Gandhi’s son, initiated a mass sterilization program across the country and ordered slum demolitions for city “beautification” without prior notice to the residents.

Large-scale protests against the government’s authoritarian methods occurred, notably those led by Jayaprakash Narayan.

Aftermath of the Emergency

On March 21, 1977, Indira Gandhi lifted the Emergency and called for General Elections. The Congress was defeated, and the Janata Party, led by Morarji Desai, secured a majority with 298 seats in the Lok Sabha. Morarji Desai became the first non-Congress Prime Minister. Indira Gandhi lost her seat in Rae Bareli to Raj Narain by a margin of over 55,000 votes.

The Indira Gandhi government faced serious accusations during the Emergency, including detention without charges, torture of detainees and political prisoners , and the illegal enactment of laws. The newly elected Janata Party government repealed the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) in 1977.

LK Advani, the Information and Broadcasting Minister in the Janata Party government, criticized the media for its support of Indira Gandhi during the Emergency. He stated, “When asked to bend, they were willing to crawl.”