NEARLY TWO YEARS OF DARKNESS: THE EMERGENCY INDIA CAN'T FORGET

June 25 marks the day in 1975 when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared Emergency in India, suspending democratic rights. It stands as a stark reminder of authoritarian rule and the resilience of India's democratic spirit.

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On the night of June 25, 1975, India changed forever. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, in a dramatic and unprecedented move, declared a nationwide Emergency under Article 352 of the Indian Constitution. It marked the beginning of the darkest period in the country's democratic history. For 21 months, from June 1975 to March 1977, India was in the grip of an authoritarian regime that suspended civil liberties, curtailed freedom of the press, jailed thousands of opposition leaders, and stifled dissent. But what led to this drastic measure?

At the heart of it was a single judicial verdict—a landmark judgment by the Allahabad High Court that declared Indira Gandhi guilty of electoral malpractices and disqualified her from Parliament. This ruling not only shook the foundations of her political career but also plunged India into a political crisis, culminating in the declaration of Emergency.

1971 GENERAL ELECTIONS The seeds of the 1975 Emergency were sown in the aftermath of the 1971 general elections. Riding high on her popularity following India's decisive victory in the Bangladesh Liberation War, Indira Gandhi led the Congress party to a resounding victory. One of her major opponents, socialist leader Raj Narain, lost the Rae Bareli seat by over 100,000 votes.

However, Narain challenged the election results, alleging misuse of government machinery and unethical campaign practices.

The petition was filed in the Allahabad High Court, marking the beginning of a legal battle that would take nearly four years to reach a verdict. While initially considered a symbolic challenge, the case gradually gained traction due to mounting evidence and the growing popularity of anti-Congress movements across India.