Muzzling Free Speech, Jail & Bans: Why Did Indira Gandhi Declare Emergency in 1975 | The History

New Delhi: “The President has proclaimed Emergency. There is nothing to panic about." The words of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi echoed across the country in the wee hours of June 26 through the All India Radio. The country, standing at the receiving end, was as surprised as Gandhi's Cabinet ministers who had been informed about it just hours before. 

June 25, 2024, marks the 49th anniversary of the Emergency, a historic event that pushed the country into the darkest hours of democracy, muzzling free speech, putting the opposition behind bars and imposing a ban on anti-Congress activities. 

Recalling the period 49 years later, External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar wrote, “On the anniversary of the declaration of Emergency, recall the dark period for Indian democracy and the courage shown by those who resisted that challenge. The collective response of the nation defined our generation. It will remain a constant reminder of the need to keep working to protect, preserve and fight for our democracy.” 

Why Did Indira Gandhi Declare Emergency? 

The infamous period of 1975 is often regarded as a dark phase of India's independent history as it was marked by unbridled state incarceration, stifling of dissent, and government crackdown on civil liberties. Human rights violations became a frequent phenomenon and media voices were repressed to a massive extent during the period. 

The Congress government claimed that the Emergency was to control ‘internal disturbance,' for which the constitutional rights were suspended. Gandhi justified the drastic move in terms of national interest, primarily based on three grounds. 

She cited threats to national security, underlining the recently concluded war with Pakistan as a plank for its argument. Another reason, as claimed, was a threat to democracy owing to the Jayprakash Narayan movement that sparked nationwide outrage against the Gandhi-led government. 

But it's believed that the June 12, 1975 verdict of the Allahabad High Court convicting then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of electoral malpractices and debarring her from holding any elected post was one of the key factors that prompted her to take the step. 

India Remembers the ‘Dark Days’ of Democracy

Remembering the courage shown by people to resist the challenge, BJP President and Rajya Sabha MP JP Nadda called ‘Emergency’ a politically driven of the Congress party. 

“During this period, those who today claim to be guardians of Indian democracy left no effort to suppress voices raised in defence of constitutional values. Today, we reflect on the sacrifices made by our great heroes who bravely stood as preservers of democracy during the #DarkDaysOfEmergency.”  

Union Home Minister targeted the Congress for having a long history of attacking democracy. Taking to X, he said, “The arrogant, autocratic Congress government had suspended all kinds of civil rights in the country for 21 months for the sake of the power of one family. During this period, they imposed censorship on the media, made changes in the Constitution and tied the hands of even the court. I salute the struggle of countless satyagrahis, social workers, workers, farmers, youth and women who protested from Parliament to the streets against the Emergency.”

Taking a swipe at the Congress, BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya said, “Indira Gandhi’s unbridled desire to continue in power led to the imposition of Emergency and suspension of civil rights… ironically, the same Congress is today lecturing us on how to save the Constitution.”