New Delhi, Jun 24 (PTI) - The Emergency, often referred to as the darkest period in Independent India's history, was imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi just before midnight on June 25, 1975. President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed issued the proclamation at Gandhi’s direction, later endorsed by the Union Cabinet. This timeline outlines the key events of the 21-month period:
January 1966: Indira Gandhi is elected Prime Minister.
November 1969: The Congress party splits after Indira Gandhi is expelled for violating party discipline.
1971: Opposition leader Raj Narain files a complaint of electoral malpractice against Indira Gandhi following his defeat in the Lok Sabha elections from Rae Bareli.
1973-75: India witnesses a surge in political unrest and demonstrations against the Indira Gandhi-led government. Public protests erupt across the country, from Gujarat to Bihar, due to high inflation, shortages of essential commodities, and economic instability following the 1971 war with Pakistan.
June 12, 1975: The Allahabad High Court finds Indira Gandhi guilty of discrepancies in her electoral campaign, declaring her election null and void.
June 22, 1975: Opposition leaders call for daily anti-government protests following the Allahabad High Court judgment, addressing a large public rally.
June 24, 1975: The Supreme Court rules that Indira Gandhi no longer enjoys parliamentary privileges; she is barred from voting but allowed to remain Prime Minister.
June 25, 1975: The President declares Emergency on Indira Gandhi's advice.
June 26, 1975: Indira Gandhi addresses the nation on All India Radio, explaining the reasons for imposing the Emergency.
September 1976: Sanjay Gandhi spearheads a mass forced sterilization program in Delhi, compelling thousands of men to undergo vasectomies.
January 18, 1977: Indira Gandhi calls for fresh elections and releases all political prisoners.
January 20, 1977: The Lok Sabha is dissolved after nearly six years.
February 11, 1977: President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed passes away in office.
March 16, 1977: Indira Gandhi and her son Sanjay are defeated in the Lok Sabha elections.
March 21, 1977: The Emergency officially ends.
March 24, 1977: Morarji Desai becomes Prime Minister under the Janata Party-led government.
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