History of Emergency

The history of Emergency in India refers to a 21-month period from June 25, 1975 to March 21, 1977, when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency across the country. It is one of the most controversial and debated periods in Indian democratic history.


ЁЯФ┤ Background to the Emergency

  1. Political Situation:
    • Indira GandhiтАЩs popularity had peaked after the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, but soon after, economic and political challenges started mounting.
    • Unemployment, inflation, corruption, and shortages of basic goods led to widespread public discontent.
  2. Judicial Crisis:
    • On June 12, 1975, the Allahabad High Court found Indira Gandhi guilty of electoral malpractice in the 1971 Lok Sabha elections and invalidated her election.
    • The court banned her from holding office for 6 years.
    • The opposition demanded her resignation, and mass protests erupted across the country.
  3. JP Movement:
    • Led by Jayaprakash Narayan, a former Gandhian, the Total Revolution Movement gathered momentum, calling for the dismissal of Indira Gandhi and restoration of democracy.

тЪая╕П Proclamation of Emergency

  • On the night of June 25, 1975, President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, on the advice of Indira Gandhi, declared a national emergency under Article 352 of the Indian Constitution, citing internal disturbances.
  • This gave the central government sweeping powers.

ЁЯФТ Major Features of the Emergency

  1. Suspension of Fundamental Rights:
    • Articles 14, 19, 21, and 22 were effectively suspended.
    • People lost their right to approach courts for the protection of their rights.
  2. Censorship:
    • Strict press censorship was imposed. Newspapers had to get approval before publishing anything.
    • Prominent publications like The Indian Express and The Statesman protested by leaving editorials blank.
  3. Arrests and Detentions:
    • Over 100,000 people were arrested under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA).
    • Leaders from all opposition parties were jailed, including Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L.K. Advani, George Fernandes, and Jayaprakash Narayan.
  4. Forced Sterilization Campaign:
    • Led by Sanjay Gandhi (Indira GandhiтАЩs son), a controversial family planning program was implemented.
    • Poor people, especially in rural areas, were coerced into sterilization surgeries, sparking outrage.
  5. Centralization of Power:
    • Democratic institutions like Parliament, state governments, and even the judiciary became subservient to the executive.
  6. Constitutional Amendments:
    • The 42nd Amendment (1976) was passed, giving vast powers to the Prime Minister and reducing judicial oversight.

ЁЯЧ│я╕П End of Emergency and Aftermath

  • Emergency was lifted on March 21, 1977.
  • General elections were held in March 1977.
  • Indira Gandhi and the Congress Party suffered a massive defeat.
  • The opposition Janata Party, led by Morarji Desai, came to power тАФ the first non-Congress government in India.
  • It was a historic moment for Indian democracy, showing that people could decisively vote out authoritarian rule.

ЁЯУЪ Legacy of the Emergency

  1. Democratic Lessons:
    • It remains a reminder of how fragile democracy can be and how constitutional mechanisms can be misused.
    • It prompted greater awareness about civil liberties and judicial independence.
  2. Judicial Reforms:
    • The Habeas Corpus case (ADM Jabalpur v. Shivkant Shukla) during the Emergency, where the Supreme Court sided with the government, was later widely criticized.
    • In later years, the Supreme Court acknowledged the mistake and strengthened protections for fundamental rights.
  3. Constitutional Safeguards:
    • Future governments made changes to ensure Emergency powers are more restricted.
    • The 44th Amendment (1978) made it more difficult to declare a national emergency, requiring written advice and cabinet consensus.

ЁЯз╛ Summary Table

FeatureDuring Emergency (1975тАУ77)
Declared byIndira Gandhi (PM), approved by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed
Constitutional Article UsedArticle 352 (Internal Disturbance)
Civil LibertiesSuspended
Opposition LeadersArrested without trial
Press FreedomHeavily Censored
Key Protest MovementJP Movement (Total Revolution)
End of EmergencyMarch 21, 1977
Resulting ElectionCongress defeated, Janata Party wins

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