India's Emergency: The Dark Chapter Post-1975 Verdict

New Delhi, Jun 24 (PTI) The midnight of June 25, 1975, marked a defining moment in India's history when the Emergency was declared, widely regarded as the darkest phase in independent India. However, its precursor was the June 12 verdict by the Allahabad High Court that nullified Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's election from Rae Bareli. This ruling, resulting from Raj Narain's petition, alleged electoral malpractices by Gandhi's camp, further fueled the nation's simmering unrest. High inflation, essential goods' shortages, and a stagnant economy post-1971 war with Pakistan — which birthed Bangladesh — intensified public discontent. This sentiment found a voice in Gujarat's Navnirman Andolan against CM Chimanbhai Patel and in Bihar, led by youth under Jayprakash Narayan. Despite Gandhi securing a conditional stay from the Supreme Court on June 24, 1975, allowing her to remain Prime Minister sans parliamentary voting rights, tensions remained high The subsequent day, a colossal opposition rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, led by Jayprakash Narayan’s call for "total revolution," underscored the defiance. Narayan appealed to security forces to follow their conscience. Veteran journalist Ram Bahadur Rai opined that Gandhi’s actions post-verdict revealed her dictatorial inclinations and insecurity. Consulting with close aides like West Bengal CM Siddharth Shankar Ray, Gandhi recommended President Fakruddin Ali Ahmed declare Emergency, citing national security threats. This move curtailed free speech and press, restricted judiciary powers, and saw opposition leaders imprisoned. Arrests included prominent figures like Jayprakash Narayan, L K Advani, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and many more. Having first become Prime Minister in 1966 after Lal Bahadur Shastri’s death, Gandhi's tenure was marked by independent policies, leading to a 1969 Congress split. Her 1971 Election victory post-Pakistan war initially boosted her popularity, yet unrest and resistance unfolded by 1973-74. The Allahabad High Court’s verdict in June 1975 catalyzed the Emergency declaration on June 25. Author Gyan Prakash highlights in "Emergency Chronicles: Indira Gandhi and Democracy’s Turning Point," that Gandhi's cabinet unsuspectingly approved the Emergency the morning after its proclamation, June 26, with Gandhi justifying it in a national radio address, citing a "deep and widespread conspiracy". The 21-month Emergency period is infamous for suspending fundamental rights and detaining thousands without trial, alongside Sanjay Gandhi’s draconian sterilization campaign targeting marginalized communities under population control pretenses.

However, the abruptly imposed Emergency ended just as unexpectedly with elections called, and political prisoners released by Gandhi on January 18, 1977.