June 25, 1975, is remembered as the day Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a national Emergency, citing internal and external threats to India.
The Day Democracy Was Silenced: Understanding the 1975 Emergency in India ย
Naresh Sharmaย ย
Even today, the entire Indian population remembers a particular day. History will never forget this day. In India’s history, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi made a decision known as an emergency. Even now, the nation remembers this choice. On June 25, 1975, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency, citing both internal and external threats to India. The government had already declared two states of emergency earlierโone during the 1962 China war and another during the 1971 war with Pakistan. During the 1962 war with China and the 1971 war with Pakistan, India first proclaimed a state of emergency. Indira Gandhi proclaimed a third state of emergency in 1975.
Why Indira Gandhi Imposed the 1975 Emergency After Court Verdict
But in 1975 Allahabad High Court gave a big shock to Indira Gandhi. Due to giving wrong information in the manifesto, Allahabad High Court canceled her election. This is where the story of emergency in the country begins. Allahabad High Court banned her from contesting elections for 6 years, which Indira Gandhi could not tolerate. The threat to her Prime Minister’s chair began to grow.
Indira Gandhi saw that her chair was in danger after the court’s decision. She argued there was internal and external danger to the country. As a result, she imposed emergency in the country on 25 June 1975. The government imposed restrictions on the press during this time. Indira Gandhi took the decision to impose emergency. Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency under Article 352 and the then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed announced it on Indira Gandhi’s advice. Later, the Union Cabinet also approved it. This emergency lasted for 21 months. This was the darkest period in the history of India.
Was the 1975 Emergency Justified? India Gave Its Verdict in 1977
At that time Indira Gandhi had said that I have to take many tough decisions in the interest of the country. Indira Gandhi said that if I do not take a decision then the country can break.
Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan started a movement against it. Due to which the whole country started a movement against emergency. Slogans were raised to remove Indira Gandhi. The public movement intensified. Under the influence of Jayaprakash Narayan, a public movement against emergency started. This movement also produced many national level leaders. Big leaders were imprisoned.
Now the question is whether the emergency was right or wrong, the people of the country had already decided this in 1977. In the elections held at that time, Congress lost badly. The people of the country had told Indira Gandhi through their votes that her decision to impose emergency was completely wrong. The argument given by Indira Gandhi was also declared wrong by the people. A democratic country does not tolerate even the slightest dictatorship.
What is your opinion on the Emergency?
๐ฌ The 1975 Emergency remains a controversial chapter in Indiaโs democratic journey. ๐ Some argue it brought temporary order, ๐ While others see it as a dangerous misuse of power.
What do you think? Was the Emergency a necessary evil or a democratic failure? ๐ฃ Share your thoughts in the comments!
