Revisiting a dark chapter: 50th anniversary of Emergency declaration-OxBig News Network

One of the turning points of Indian politics, the Emergency was set in motion by the Indira Gandhi government on June 25, 1975, and remained in place for 21 months till its withdrawal on March 21, 1977. The order gave Indira Gandhi, India’s first woman Prime Minister, the authority to rule by decree and saw the large-scale curbing of civil liberties. 

The then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed announced a nationwide state of emergency, citing “an imminent danger to the security of India being threatened by internal disturbances,” particularly after the war with Pakistan and the liberation of Bangladesh.

It was imposed just days after Indira Gandhi was convicted by Allahabad High Court for electoral malpractice in a case filed by socialist leader Raj Narain who challenged her win from Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat. The conviction led to her disqualification as an MP and Emergency allowed her to continue as Prime Minister.

The oppressive Maintenance of Internal Security Act was passed during the Emergency era. There was large-scale suspension of fundamental rights for the citizenry, detention and arrest of Opposition leaders and critics, and press censorship. The 38th Amendment Act of 1975 also made declaration of a national emergency immune to judicial review (this was later removed by the 44th Amendment Act of 1978). 

In Tamil Nadu, the ruling DMK under M. Karunanidhi denounced it as the “inauguration of dictatorship.” On January 31, 1976, the Karunanidhi government was dismissed, and a wave of arrests followed. DMK leaders, including now Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, faced brutal third-degree torture in Madras Central Prison.

Emergency remained in effect till March 21, 1977, and eventually also led to a Janata Party wave in 1977 that swept the Congress out of power for the first time since Independence.

Here is a collection of stories recollecting the dark chapter in India’s history.