Indira Gandhi's Emergency

The Indira Gandhi State of Emergency refers to the period in Indian history when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a national state of emergency.
The state of emergency lasted from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977.

The state of emergency was declared by Indira Gandhi in response to the political and social unrest in India at the time. In June 1975, the Supreme Court of Allahabad found Indira Gandhi guilty of electoral fraud and annulled her election to the Lok Sabha (lower house of the Indian Parliament). This verdict led to calls for his resignation and sparked protests and demonstrations across the country.

On the night of June 25, 1975, Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency, invoking Article 352 of the Indian Constitution, which gives the Indian President the power to declare a state of emergency when the country's security is threatened by war or civil unrest. Civil and fundamental rights were suspended, media censorship was imposed, and thousands of political opponents and activists were arrested without trial.

During the state of emergency, Indira Gandhi's government took control of the media, curtailed freedom of speech and expression, and imposed strict censorship laws. Opposition leaders such as Jayaprakash Narayan and Morarji Desai were arrested and political dissent was suppressed.

The ER also witnessed forced sterilization campaigns known as the "Family Planning Program." The aim was to control the growth of the Indian population. The program has been criticized for its use of coercive measures and human rights abuses. However, the state of emergency ended with the 1977 elections. Indira Gandhi's party, the Indian National Congress, was defeated by a coalition of opposition parties known as the Janata Party. Morarji Desai became India's new prime minister and the state of emergency was officially lifted.

Indira Gandhi's decision to declare a state of emergency was highly controversial and remains a significant event in Indian political history. Many saw it as a period of authoritarian rule and a violation of the principles of democracy. The state of emergency had a lasting impact on Indian politics, society, and perceptions of Indira Gandhi's leadership.