Understanding the emergency: what happened on June 25, 1975

On June 25, 1975, India witnessed a pivotal and controversial moment in its democratic journey then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of Emergency across the country, citing "internal disturbances" as the reason. This decision marked the beginning of a 21-month period that is widely regarded as one of the most challenging times for Indian democracy.

The roots of the Emergency can be traced back to the 1971 general elections, where Indira Gandhi secured a resounding victory from the Rae Bareli constituency, defeating socialist leader Raj Narain. However, Narain contested her win, alleging that she had used unfair means, including the misuse of government machinery for election campaigning. His legal challenge culminated in a landmark judgment by the Allahabad High Court on June 12, 1975, which found Gandhi guilty of electoral malpractice. The court not only invalidated her election but also barred her from holding any elected office for six years.

This verdict sent shockwaves through the political establishment and triggered a nationwide demand for her resignation. With growing unrest and mounting pressure from opposition leaders like Jayprakash Narain, Gandhi responded by imposing a state of Emergency.

Also Read: List of Prime Ministers of India -1947 to 2024

Opposition leaders detained

Key leaders of the opposition were detained without trial. Jayaprakash Narayan, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani, and George Fernandes were among the prominent figures sent to jail. In total, tens of thousands of political activists and dissenters were imprisoned during this period. Media outlets were brought under strict government censorship. Newspapers couldn’t publish anything critical of the government without prior approval.

Return to the Ballot: 1977 Elections

After 21 months, in early 1977, Indira Gandhi announced fresh elections and released political prisoners. What followed was a political upheaval. In March 1977, the people delivered their verdict: the Congress Party, which had ruled since independence, was decisively voted out of power for the first time.

Janta Party comes to power

The Janata Party, a coalition formed by opposition groups united against the Emergency, formed the new government. Morarji Desai became the first non-Congress Prime Minister of India. Fittingly, Raj Narain, the man whose legal challenge had sparked the crisis was appointed Health Minister in the new cabinet.