Indira Gandhi's Emergency | Why it happened? | The Real Story | Dhruv Rathee

Summary

This video delves into India's 1975 Emergency, declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The Emergency, considered a dark period in Indian democracy, suspended fundamental rights and led to the arrest of opposition leaders. The video explains the complex sequence of events leading to the Emergency, including bank nationalization, clashes with the judiciary, corruption, economic crises, and escalating protests. It also covers key court rulings, like the one nullifying Indira Gandhi’s election victory, which intensified unrest. The video ends with the aftermath and impact of this controversial decision, sparking both criticism and debate.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Emergency in India, declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975, lasted for two years and is considered a dark period in Indian democracy, suspending people's fundamental rights.
• ⚖️ The sequence of events leading to the Emergency began in 1969, starting with the nationalization of 14 private banks, which faced opposition from businessmen and the judiciary.
• 🏦 The conflict between the government and judiciary deepened after the Supreme Court rejected the nationalization ordinance, leading to a power struggle between the legislative and judicial branches.
• 👑 Another significant clash between the government and judiciary occurred in 1971 over the abolition of Privy Purse, a payment made to royal families, which the government tried to stop but was initially blocked by the court.
• 🚨 The emergency was triggered by a combination of factors including inflation, corruption, protests, and a court ruling that voided Indira Gandhi’s 1971 election win due to minor violations.
• 🎓 Student-led protests in Gujarat and Bihar, along with a massive railway strike organized by George Fernandes, contributed to the unrest, which Indira Gandhi labeled as a threat to democracy.
• 🏛️ On June 25, 1975, the President of India declared an internal emergency, allowing for the arrest of opposition leaders, censorship of the press, and the suspension of elections.
• 📉 Economic conditions during the Emergency, marked by high inflation and rising prices, were worsened by earlier crises such as the 1973 oil crisis and rampant government corruption.
• 🔒 During the Emergency, more than 100,000 people were arrested, and organizations like RSS and Jamaat-e-Islami were banned, stifling dissent and opposition movements.
• ✂️ The controversial Mass Sterilization Program led by Sanjay Gandhi forced many men into unsafe sterilization procedures in an effort to control India's population.

Q & A

What was the main reason behind declaring the Emergency in India in 1975?

The Emergency was declared due to a combination of internal disturbances, political unrest, protests, and a High Court ruling against Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, which declared her election null and void. The immediate trigger was the judgment from the Allahabad High Court on 12th June 1975, but multiple underlying factors contributed to the decision.

How did Indira Gandhi's government respond to the Supreme Court's ruling against the nationalization of banks?

After the Supreme Court rejected the nationalization of 14 private banks, Indira Gandhi’s government responded by amending the Constitution to reverse the court's decision. This marked the beginning of several conflicts between her government and the judiciary.

What role did the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War play in the events leading up to the Emergency?

The 1971 Indo-Pakistan War significantly impacted India's economy, causing inflation and a rise in prices. This economic strain, coupled with growing corruption within the Congress Party and unrest in states like Gujarat and Bihar, contributed to the larger political crisis that eventually led to the Emergency.

What was the Navnirman Movement, and how did it influence the Emergency?

The Navnirman Movement was a student-led protest in Gujarat in 1974, demanding the dissolution of the corrupt state government. It sparked mass protests and led to the resignation of the Chief Minister. This unrest was one of the many signs of growing dissatisfaction that influenced the declaration of the Emergency.

How did JP Narayan's role contribute to the Emergency declaration?

JP Narayan, a prominent opposition leader, led protests against Indira Gandhi's government, calling for civil disobedience and urging the police and armed forces to refuse government orders. His leadership in the anti-corruption movement and civil disobedience contributed to the government's decision to declare the Emergency, citing 'internal disturbances.'

What was the significance of the Allahabad High Court’s ruling against Indira Gandhi?

The Allahabad High Court ruled that Indira Gandhi had violated electoral laws by using government resources for her 1971 election campaign. This ruling invalidated her election and disqualified her from holding her Lok Sabha seat, which escalated political tensions and led to widespread protests demanding her resignation.

How did Indira Gandhi justify the declaration of Emergency under Article 352 of the Constitution?

Indira Gandhi justified the Emergency by citing 'internal disturbances' as the reason under Article 352 of the Indian Constitution, which allows the President to declare an Emergency if the country's security is threatened by war, external aggression, or internal disturbance.

What were the consequences of the Emergency on civil rights and political opposition?

During the Emergency, civil liberties were suspended, over 100,000 people were arrested, including major opposition leaders, and the press was heavily censored. Fundamental Rights were taken away, and protests were suppressed through arrests and other coercive measures.

What was the Mass Sterilization Program, and why is it considered controversial?

The Mass Sterilization Program, initiated by Indira Gandhi’s son Sanjay Gandhi, aimed to control the population by sterilizing men, often forcefully and in unsafe conditions. The program is controversial because of the coercive measures used, which caused widespread fear and criticism.

What were some of the positive changes attributed to the Emergency period?

Despite its authoritarian nature, some people observed positive changes during the Emergency, such as punctual trains, efficient industries, and reduced strikes. These improvements were largely due to the suppression of protests and strikes, but they did not justify the widespread loss of civil liberties.