DEMOCRACY INTERRUPTED

In 21 months, the Emergency changed deep structures of India's polity. It ushered in a phase of coalition politics and was the first instance of the intimidation of the judiciary, media and civil society

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The 21 months of extra-parliamentary rule by PM Indira Gandhi have long been enshrined as the ‘dark days of Emergency’ in both official cliché and journalese.

This notorious episode got its own official anniversary last year when home minister Amit Shah announced that June 25 would henceforth be commemorated as ‘Samvidhan Hatya Divas’ (roughly ‘Constitution Assassination Day’). And earlier this year the Semicentennial was marked by the release of a political melodrama,