Indira Gandhi’s emergency explained | 50 years later | The Hindu Explains

Summary

The video explores the controversial 1975 Emergency in India, declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, which suspended civil liberties, censored the press, and concentrated power in the central government. Triggered by political unrest, court rulings, and public protests, the 21-month period saw mass arrests, forced sterilizations, and the controversial 42nd constitutional amendment. Despite these measures, Indira Gandhi lifted the Emergency in 1977, leading to the sweeping victory of the Janata Party and the first non-Congress government. The video underscores the Emergency's lasting impact on Indian democracy, highlighting its lessons on unchecked power, federalism, civil rights, and the emergence of a new generation of political leaders.

Takeaways

• 🗓️ On June 25th, 1975, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a national emergency in India, significantly altering the country's democratic framework.
• ⚖️ The emergency suspended civil liberties, freedom of the press, and even fundamental rights, concentrating power in the hands of the central government.
• 💰 India faced economic challenges after the 1971 war, including corruption, inflation, unemployment, drought, and the global oil shock, which fueled public discontent.
• 📣 Movements led by student protests in Gujarat and Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) in Bihar demanded political change and called for a 'total revolution.'
• 🏛️ The immediate trigger was the Allahabad High Court's conviction of Indira Gandhi for electoral malpractice, barring her from elections for six years.
• 🚨 During the emergency, over 100,000 people, including opposition leaders, were jailed under draconian laws like MISA and COFEPOSA without trial.
• 📰 The press was censored, with newspapers pre-screened and some leaving blank spaces in protest against restrictions on freedom of speech.
• 📜 Parliament passed sweeping amendments, notably the 42nd Amendment, which reduced judicial oversight and prioritized directive principles over fundamental rights.
• 👶 Sanjay Gandhi enforced a forced sterilization program targeting poor citizens, while urban slums faced demolition and police violence.
• 🏛️ In 1977, Indira Gandhi lifted the emergency and called elections, which the Janata Party won, ending Congress's dominance and restoring many democratic freedoms.
• 🔒 The 44th Amendment strengthened safeguards against future emergencies, replacing 'internal disturbance' with 'armed rebellion' as a legal trigger.
• 🌐 The emergency period serves as a cautionary tale about the fragility of democracy and the dangers of unchecked political power.

Q & A

What event marked the beginning of the Emergency in India in 1975?

The Emergency was declared on June 25th, 1975, after Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's government moved swiftly following widespread protests and the Allahabad High Court's conviction of her for electoral malpractice.

What were the main reasons that led to the declaration of the Emergency?

The reasons included political instability due to mass protests, economic challenges like price rise, joblessness, corruption, post-war expenses, drought, and global oil shocks, along with the court conviction of Indira Gandhi.

Who led the anti-government movement known as 'Total Revolution'?

Veteran socialist Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) led the 'Total Revolution' or 'Sampoorna Kranti', calling for civil servants and the military to resist government orders.

Which fundamental rights were suspended during the Emergency?

During the Emergency, fundamental rights including freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and even the right to life were suspended.

How did the government control the press during the Emergency?

Newspapers were pre-screened, and censors ensured that only government-approved news was published. Some newspapers left blank spaces in protest against censorship.

What were some of the draconian laws used during the Emergency?

Laws like the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) and the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA) were used to arrest people without trial.

What controversial action did Sanjay Gandhi undertake during the Emergency?

Sanjay Gandhi initiated a brutal forced sterilization campaign, targeting poor people, and was involved in slum demolitions where people resisting were sometimes shot.

What constitutional amendment is most associated with the Emergency, and what did it change?

The 42nd Amendment is most associated with the Emergency; it gave Parliament unchecked powers, reduced judicial review, and prioritized directive principles over fundamental rights.

How did the Emergency come to an end?

Indira Gandhi lifted the Emergency in early 1977 and called for elections, perhaps believing she could retain power, but the people voted overwhelmingly for the opposition Janata Party.

What long-term impact did the Emergency have on Indian democracy?

The Emergency highlighted the fragility of democracy, led to the strengthening of safeguards through the 44th Amendment, and gave rise to a new generation of political leaders while showing the dangers of unchecked power.

Who became the first non-Congress Prime Minister after the Emergency, and what actions did his government take?

Morarji Desai became the first non-Congress Prime Minister, and his government reversed many Emergency-era laws and passed the 44th Amendment, making it harder to declare another Emergency.